FRISCO, Texas – Try as they might, there just wasn't a goal to be had on Saturday night at FC Dallas Stadium.
Defense was the name of the game on as FC Dallas and Chivas USA played to a scoreless draw defined by a lack of chances and a few crucial saves. The deadlock set a new FC Dallas franchise record winless streak at 11 games, while Chivas USA earned yet another respectable road result.
With both Chivas USA and FCD even with just five first-half goals allowed this season, it wasn’t a surprise that the teams went into the locker room scoreless. The best chance of the half fell to Chivas USA, which nearly took the lead in the 12th minute. Kevin Hartman could only parry Juan Agudelo’s shot and the rebound fell to Alejandro Moreno, whose follow-up chance was deflected onto the bar and out for a corner kick.
FULL LINEUPS AND BOX SCORE
HIGHLIGHTS: DAL 0, CHV 0
Jackson had a chance for the home team in the first half from well outside the area, but Dan Kennedy scrambled back in time to tip the Brazilian’s shot wide of goal. Otherwise, both teams kept the other from finding chinks in either defense.
FC Dallas began to ratchet up the pressure as the game moved into the last 30 minutes, with Brek Shea nearly giving Dallas the lead twice in quick succession. A Daniel Hernandez corner found Shea at the far post, but his header was cleared off the line. A few minutes later, Shea’s blast from an Andrew Jacobson cross was saved well by Kennedy.
OPTA Chalkboard: FC Dallas, Chivas USA find chances hard to come by
The effect of Shea’s re-insertion into the FC Dallas lineup was certainly felt, as the Texan led all players with six shots. Meanwhile, Chivas USA struggled to gain much of a foothold in attack without Juan Pablo Angel available and Agudelo blanketed by FC Dallas right back Zach Loyd.
With the draw, Chivas USA (5-7-4) moves to a tie for the fifth playoff spot in the Western Conference, and FC Dallas (3-9-4) climbed out of the Western Conference cellar for at least a night.
Dallas return to action when they host Toronto FC on July 4. Chivas USA heads home for a crucial Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal matchup with the Charlotte Eagles on Tuesday at The Home Depot Center.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dan-kennedy" target="_blank">Dan Kennedy</a></span> |
Not much doing for either side, but Kennedy snuffed out what few opportunities FCD created. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/brek-shea" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Brek Shea</span></span></a> |
Shea was the game's most dangerous attacking threat. Foiled by Kennedy more than once. |
3 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matt-hedges" target="_blank">Matt Hedges</a></span> |
Chivas USA had but one shot on goal, and Hedges was a big part of that effort. |
