The San Jose Earthquakes increased their lead in the Western Conference by nine points, defeating FC Dallas 2-0 in Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night.
Ronald Cerritos scored in the 50th minute and Alejandro Moreno added one of his own in the 53rd as FCD's frustration continued to mount in its ninth game without a win.
FC Dallas got the game started, putting together a nice string of passes from Ramon Nunez to Ronnie O'Brien in the seventh minute, then back to Nunez who found U.S. international Eddie Johnson in front of the goal, but he was whistled offsides. Johnson was one of the last players released from U.S. camp and arrived shortly before the match.
San Jose looked sharp on the ensuing plays in the 12th minute and kept the Hoops at bay on defense.
Simo Valakari drew a yellow card from the referee Erich Simmons in the 22nd minute for a reckless foul, meaning he'll be off the roster for the next game against D.C. United for accumulated points.
In the 29th minute, FCD rose to the occasion as defender Greg Vanney played a nice ball to Carey Talley, but his shot only deflected to earn a corner.
The ensuing corner Steve Jolley's header forced San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Pat Onstad to push the shot away from the right corner.
San Jose's Ricardo Clark put on a nice dribbling show in the 44th minute as he moved in from right to left but his shot went wide left.
Johnson rounded out the half with a right-footed shot, but it went wide right as the half ended 0-0.
The Earthquakes jumped on the scoreboard first with a left-footed cross from Mark Chung to a wide-open Cerritos who appeared to be offsides in the 50th minute. Cerritos slotted home for his sixth tally of the season.
San Jose doubled the score in the 53rd minute off an individual effort by Moreno on a nice right-footed shot in the left corner.
Frustration set in for the Hoops in the 56th minute as Bobby Rhine received a yellow card for a reckless foul.
Arturo Alvarez made his presence known off a left-footed cross to the right flank for the hustling O'Brien, but the cross was again gobbled up by the San Jose 'keeper in the 72nd minute.
The Earthquakes played keep away the rest of the match and despite hustle from FCD, the score ended 2-0 in favor of San Jose.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Pat Onstad, San Jose Earthquakes
Ron Goode is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
