FRISCO, Texas -- After two weeks of rest, Blas Pérez picked the best time to get his third goal of the season.
In the 88th minute, FC Dallas (5-1-1, 16 points) defender Stephen Keel headed down a long ball from Michel in the penalty box, Pérez pounced on the loose ball to net giving FC Dallas a 2-1 win Saturday night over Toronto FC (3-3-0, 9 points) at Toyota Stadium.
The goal was Dallas’ ninth goal of the season scored in the last 30 minutes of the match.
Dallas put Toronto on their heels for the majority of the game as they earned a team-record 16 corner kicks.
Issey Nakajima-Farran put the visitors on top in the 21st minute with his second goal of the season. The goal came after a Toronto corner kick was poorly cleared out of the penalty box by Dallas. Former FCD midfielder Jackson played Nakajima-Farran the ball into the penalty box, the Calgary, Alberta, native fired one shot at Dallas 'keeper Chris Seitz only see it punched right back to him where he would then volley it into the back of the net.
FC Dallas nearly tied it up minutes later on a free kick by Michel. The midfielder bended a ball around the Toronto wall but Toronto 'keeper Júlio César was able to push the ball over the crossbar. Júlio César ended the first half with two saves.
Matt Hedges got the 17,406 fans at Toyota Stadium back on their feet in the 32nd minute as he scored on a header off a corner kick by Michel, beating Mark Bloom to the near post to score his second goal of the season.
Toronto struggled to create chances in the second half but one shot in the 66th minute nearly beat Seitz. A free kick by Kyle Bekker nearly beat the FCD netminder as he had to back into his own goal to make the stop. Several Toronto players appealed to the side line official as they believed the ball crossed the goal line.
The loss was the third in four games for Toronto. All three have come without Designated Player Jermain Defoe.
FC Dallas hit the road next weekend as they visit D.C. United. Toronto return to BMO Field to host the New England Revolution.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
Matt Hedges |
FC Dallas' defender was a constant threat for the TFC backline with the barrage of corners. Had FCD's first goal and assisted on the game winner. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/Fabian-Castillo" target="_blank">Fabián Castillo</a> |
Although the FCD midfielder failed to score, he was a constant thorn in the side of the TFC defense all night |
3 |
Júlio César |
Toronto didn't bring much to the table after the opening goal. If not for some top-notch keeping, it could have been much worse. |
