MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Climbs Back into Playoff Picture with Epic 1-0 Victory over Vancouver

Published on September 16, 2012 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas - Defensive midfielder Julian de Guzman saved FC Dallas' hopes of qualifying for playoffs with a long-distance strike in the sixth minute of stoppage time tonight at FC Dallas Stadium.

FC Dallas started the match on the attack, earning several early corner kicks and set piece opportunities, but its best chance came in the 15th minute when David Ferreira lobbed a free kick into the area. On the play, a Whitecaps FC defender took down George John in the area, prompting referee Allen Chapman to point to the spot. Ferreira opted to take the penalty kick, firing a low shot to Vancouver goalkeeper Brad Knighton's right side. The goalkeeper was able to get his fingertips to the shot, pushing it just wide of the post.

Vancouver returned fire via a set piece of its own in the 28th minute. Taken off to the left side of the field, 23 yards from goal by Camilo, the free kick was sent in low towards the back post, where it was intercepted by FC Dallas' Blas Perez. The forward's clearance attempt fell directly to Vancouver's John Thorrington, who collected the loose ball and fired a long-distance strike that whistled past the outside of the right post.

Dallas saw two more chances to take a 1-0 lead come and go in the 41st and 42nd minutes. Both involved U.S. National Team midfielder Brek Shea. The Texas native went by a defender on the left flank and hit a low centering pass for Ferreira. Near the top of the six-yard box, the 2010 MLS MVP's first-touch shot beat Knighton, but hammered the cross bar and was cleared away from danger.

Dallas regained possession of the ball a minute later and once again found Shea in space. The midfielder decided to have a go at goal from the top of the area, hitting a rising line drive that forced Knighton to push the ball over the bar for his second save of the half.

Just 18 minutes into the second half, FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman brought on speedster Fabian Castillo for defensive midfielder Andrew Jacobson in hopes of igniting his side's attack. The tactic paid immediate dividends as Castillo combined with right back Hernan Pertuz to get Perez the ball well inside Vancouver's 18-yard box. The Panamanian brought down Pertuz's serve and took a big swing at the half-volley, but had his chance glance off his shin before back spinning over the crossbar.

Needing a victory to stay alive in the race for the fifth and final berth in MLS Cup Playoffs, FC Dallas pushed players forward throughout the second half but it was Vancouver that nearly came away with a game-winner via a counter-attack in the 84th minute. On the play, Vancouver's Thorringon played a ball forward to second half substitute Russell Teibert, who was alone at the back post. Teibert looked to have FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman beat, but the veteran recovered to knock down the shot with his body before smothering the ball.

FC Dallas thought it had finally beaten Knighton, when Perez received the ball inside the six-yard box in the 90th minute. The forward knocked his first shot off the near post before finally sending the ball over the goal line with his second attempt in the 90th minute, only to have the goal called back for an off sides call.

Finally, in the sixth minute of stoppage-time, de Guzman put the game away for FC Dallas. Castillo took Dallas' sixth corner kick of the night, sending a ball to the near post. Vancouver forward Darren Mattocks headed the service outside the area where it found de Guzman. Roughly 25 yards from goal, de Guzman chested the ball down to his left foot and hit a volley just inside the far post to give the home side a crucial three points on the night.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 16, 2012


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