FRISCO, Texas -- It wasn't pretty, but Chivas USA will take it. FC Dallas would probably prefer not to.
A 0-0 draw on Thursday night extended FCD's club-record unbeaten streak to 14 games, but saw the side drop points at home to a club below them in the standings for the second consecutive match, as Western Conference cellar-dwellars Chivas USA battled for a share of the points in front of a sellout crowd at FC Dallas Stadium.
Chivas USA earned their second straight draw, though the result extended their winless streak to 12 matches.
The result leaves 2nd-place Dallas three points off West-leading Real Salt Lake's pace. The Goats remain in last place, nine points behind 8th-place San Jose.
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Dallas threw everything they had at the Rojiblancos, but failed to create many true chances and struggled to hit the target. In fact, Chivas actually had a majority of chances, with a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal in the match.
But the game was Dallas's to win down the stretch. The home side dominated the ball with over 75% of the possession the last 10 minutes of the match plus stoppage time.
And they had two good late opportunities to break the deadlock. In the 85th minute, Jackson shaved a close header wide off a cross from David Ferreira. And in the 86th minute, Blas Perez had the best chance of the game -- and only shot on target -- but his firm header off a Jair Benitez cross was pushed off the line by Goats keeper Dan Kennedy.
Then, in the 94th minute, the visitors nearly stole all three points, as Chivas USA's Julio Morales smashed a shot from the top of the box that forced a reaction save from FCD keeper Raul Fernandez.
The first half was a more tepid affair, but there were a few chances. Michel came inches away from placing a 22-yard free kick into Dan Kennedy’s upper 90 in the eighth minute. Barely a minute later, FCD had a golden opportunity created when a nice 1-2 connection between Andrew Jacobson and Zach Lloyd opened up the defender on the right side of the box. Lloyd’s cross fell straight to the feet of an unmarked Ferreira, who surprisingly hoofed his wide open shot from ten yards away over the crossbar.
Chivas USA’s best chance came in the 37th minute, when striker Jose Correa pounced on Walter Vilchez’s back-heeled pass in the box and fired a quick no-look shot just wide of the goal.
OPTA CHALKBOARD: FCD's Michel near perfection in possession
Both teams now have only three days rest before returning to action. FC Dallas face the LA Galaxy on Sunday (10:30 pm ET, watch on MLS Live), The Goats head to Canada to face the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo, also on Sunday (7:30 pm ET, watch on MLS Live).
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/raul-fernandez" target="_blank">Raul Fernandez</a> |
The FCD goalkeeper had to be on his game. Posted 7 saves on the night for his 6th clean sheet of the season. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/eric-avila" target="_blank">Eric Avila</a> |
Tried to run the midfield for the Goats with little help around him. Had three shots, one that caused real problems. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/michel" target="_blank">Michel</a> |
Spanish midfielder's set pieces were a constant threat, if only someone had redirected them on target. |
