a loss that eliminated the Hoops from the MLS Cup Playoffs after winning the regular season conference title -- Sala was given a suspension for his involvement in the post-match fracas that ensued. Saturday night was his first game back in uniform for FCD.
"Too many times I dreamed about it," Sala said. "I imagined a win. Tonight was the best. I never imagined it would be so good tonight."
FC Dallas got first-half goals from Kenny Cooper and Juan Toja for the eventual victory. But without Sala's visionary outing, it might not have been enough.
"At times you need your goalkeeper to come up big and make big saves. He did it for us. I thought he made three or four really good saves," said FC Dallas coach Steve Morrow. "He looked sharper than expected for not playing so long."
Sala said he thought his team played well defensively as a cohesive unit. A new addition was fellow Argentinean Pablo Ricchetti, who made his MLS debut, playing as the defensive midfielder in front of the back four.
"He hasn't played in a couple of months," Morrow said. "I think he showed what a good player he's going to be."
Morrow and Sala also saw the addition of Alex Yi into the back four, after missing a game through injury, and Marcelo Saragosa also came on as a substitute after suffering a knee injury nearly a month ago.
But Ricchetti showed he will be more than a good fit for Dallas.
"He's a naturally fit guy. And he wanted to play 90 minutes," Morrow said. "He's very good at possession. He passed the ball well at times," Morrow said. "I think he's only going to get better as he gets more fit."
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
