MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Opens 2013 Season with 1-0 Win over Colorado

Published on March 2, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas opened the 2013 season tonight with a 1-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids at FC Dallas Stadium.

Despite the cold weather, 18,075 fans packed FC Dallas Stadium and saw the home side take a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on a goal scored by Jackson. The play began with Colombian playmaker David Ferreira, who knocked a long ball forward from behind the midfield line. Colorado goalkeeper Steward Ceus charged off his line to cut out the pass but ran beyond the top of the box. Unable to use his hands outside of the area, Ceus was forced to allow the ball to bounce over his head to Jackson, who calmly knocked the ball into the empty net for a 1-0 lead.

Colorado nearly equalized in the 18th minute when former FC Dallas midfielder Atiba Harris won a ball on the right flank and crossed it to the back post. Near the top of the area, Dillon Powers brought down the pass and attempted to pick out the right post but FC Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez was in perfect position to make a diving save to his left side to keep the score 1-0 in favor of the home side.

Playing in his first game for FC Dallas since June 24, 2009, Dallas native Kenny Cooper earned a free kick in a dangerous position in the 35th minute. Just outside the top left corner of the area, Michel stepped to the kick and bent a left-footed shot around the wall. The shot skipped off the grass just before reaching Ceus but the 6'6" goalkeeper managed to knock the shot down. The rebound was nearly slotted home by a late-arriving Andrew Jacobson, but a Colorado defender stepped in at the last minute to clear the ball out of the six-yard box.

Dallas nearly took a two-goal lead just after halftime when Michel sent a dangerous free kick into the area from roughly 40 yards out. The well-placed ball found center back Matt Hedges at the back post. The defender was able to redirect a header across the goalmouth but Ceus was able to use his height advantage to go up and claim the ball just before it neared the crossbar.

Outshot 8-4 in the first half, Schellas Hyndman's side made the necessary changes to possess more of the ball in the second half. The halftime alterations resulted in increased goal-scoring opportunities, the best of which nearly led to a goal by Ferreira in the 64th minute.

Je-Vaughn Watson started the play by getting the ball wide to Fabian Castillo. The young Colombian then slipped a pass inside to Ferreira, who feinted left before striking a shot, low to the back post. Ceus needed every inch of his frame to push the shot just wide of the post.

Colorado attacked for the majority of the final 10 minutes, lobbing several balls into the area, but center backs George John, Hedges and Stephen Keel combined to clear away any legitimate scoring opportunities and help Fernandez keep a clean sheet in his first start for FC Dallas.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 2, 2013


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