MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas advances to Champions League Group Stage on 2-0 aggregate win over Alianza FC

Published on August 4, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - FC Dallas defender Ugo Ihemelu scored a 36th minute goal to defeat Alianza FC of El Salvador 1-0 tonight at Pizza Hut Park to advance to the Group Stage of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League tournament.

FC Dallas shut out Alianza FC 1-0 on July 28 in the first game of the home-and-away aggregate goal competition. With tonight's shutout, FC Dallas became the first MLS team to shut out an opponent in both legs under the current format of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. FC Dallas now advances to Group C along with Pumas of Mexico, Tauro of Panama and Toronto FC of Canada. FC Dallas' first match of group play is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 17 against Pumas in Mexico City, Mexico.

FC Dallas' goal came via corner kick on a ball played into the center of the area by midfielder Ricardo Villar. Coming up from his defensive position on the corner, Ihemelu rose above his defender to head the cross into the lower left corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Alianza FC made two changes near the 55th minute and found some immediate success.

Herbert Sosa came free down the left side, beat a defender and looped a shot high over FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman's head. Fortunately for FC Dallas, the ball floated high enough to strike the crossbar, bouncing back out to the head of Alianza midfielder Rafael Burgos. Burgos attempted to slip a header just inside the right post of Hartman, but the attempt flew high over the crossbar to keep the score 1-0.

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