MLS FC Dallas

Blas Perez Scores Late to Lift FC Dallas Past Toronto FC at Toyota

April 20, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas "" FC Dallas (5-1-1, 16 points) maintained its position on top of the MLS standings with a come-from-behind, 2-1, victory over Toronto FC (3-3-0, 9 points) in front of 17,406 fans at Toyota Stadium tonight.

FC Dallas had the majority of the chances in the opening 20 minutes of the match. The home side earned six corner kicks by that point, but was unable to create any solid scoring chances.

Toronto FC converted one of its first early chances in the 21st minute to go ahead 1-0. The goal was set up by Jackson, who played Issey Nakajima-Farran the ball on the wide side of the 18-yard box. Nakajima-Farran took a hard shot that was punched away by FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz. Unfortunately for Dallas, the rebound went directly back to the feet of Nakajima-Farran. The Canadian midfielder's second shot was headed towards goal but took a slight deflection off FC Dallas midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson and ended up in the back of the net.

FC Dallas was denied an equalizer in the 24th minute by Toronto FC goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Free kick specialist Michel approached a dead ball that was laying 40 yards from goal and struck a bending left-footed blast that appeared destined for the back of the net. Cesar stood his ground and pushed the ball over the crossbar to give FC Dallas its seventh corner kick of the half.

FC Dallas made it 1-1 in the 37th minute via its eighth corner kick of the half. Michel swerved another left-footed gem to the top corner of the six-yard box. FC Dallas captain Matt Hedges was there to win the header, sending his second goal of the season past Cesar and into the far side netting.

FC Dallas should have scored on its ninth corner kick of the half when Mauro Diaz lobbed a cross to the back post in the 41st minute. David Texeira was there to redirect a snap header on goal but once again Cesar made an outstanding save to preserve the tie.

FC Dallas earned its franchise-record 16th corner kick in the 84th minute but it was a free kick from midfield that gave the team a 2-1 lead in the 88th minute. Once again, the goal began with the left foot of Michel. The Brazilian lobbed a ball into the area and center back Stephen Keel went up and won the initial header. Hedges tracked the ball in the air and won a second header near the left post, sending a loose ball into the six-yard box. Second half substitute Blas Perez was there to clean up. The Panamanian got just enough on a half-volley attempt to push it off the right foot of Cesar and into the net for the win.

Former FC Dallas forward Andrew Wiedeman nearly pulled Toronto FC level with a header in stoppage-time but the chance missed the crossbar by inches.

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