FC Dallas came away with a victory to maintain their home unbeaten streak as they muscled past Chivas USA 2-1. The first half was dominated by Dallas as the score could have been more lopsided with their number of chances, but after Chivas USA leveled the score and took over the match, they got a late winner from rookie Abe Thompson.
"That's absolutely the mentality this team has to get," said Greg Vanney. "Especially when you're playing midweek games like this against teams that are struggling, we have to finish off the game and be wise the way you play the rest of the game."
Roberto Mina was on his game once again as Oscar Pareja found him in the middle of the area where the Ecuadorian international easily finished for an 18th-minute goal.
"For me it's great to score twice here at home," said Mina, who posted a goal in his second consecutive game. "To get three points for my team is great, but this is a collective effort. I was the one to score but it's the whole team not just me."
The ball from Pareja was just one of many great touches the Colombian veteran displayed for the home crowd as he made his first start since May 18.
"I was charged today," said Pareja. "I just tried to get behind the midfielders and get the ball in good spots to create some dangerous plays."
As the oldest player on the team Pareja showed great passion and energy as he pushed his team forward.
"I thought Oscar controlled the game the first half," said Colin Clarke. "I thought he was great in possession, his passing was good, his movement was sharp, great ball for the goal. He looked like he was 27 out there."
The second half saw Chivas bounce back quickly as Hector Cuadros played a nice through ball to Matt Taylor who was able to beat Scott Garlick in the 48th minute. The pass was close to being offsides, but found Taylor so open it left Garlick in no man's land.
Following the goal the game started to open up as both teams searched for the game winner. Things also changed when Mina came up injured in the 60th minute, making way for Thompson to come on with fresh legs.
David Wagenfuhr would be rewarded for his many runs up the sideline in the 81st minute as Thompson was able to get a head to his curling cross for the go-ahead strike.
"Great ball by Wags," said Clarke. "I thought Wags got forward well all night, crossed a good ball and got us another one."
The goal sealed the game for FC Dallas as Thompson hit for his second goal of the season despite seeing just limited time.
"Going in I knew this was my chance in my home debut to show our fans what I was able to do," said Thompson. "Wags put a great ball in and it was just a matter of getting it on frame."
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
