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FC Dallas Falls 3-1 to Galaxy in Los Angeles

August 7, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Saturday, Aug. 6) - FC Dallas fell 3-1 to the L.A. Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., Saturday night despite taking a one-goal lead in the 9th minute of the match on a goal scored by midfielder Marvin Chavez.

The play began when Zach Loyd played a long ball over the top of the L.A. Galaxy defense to newly-acquired striker Maicon Santos. In perfect position to have a go at goal himself, Santos opted to drop a pass to Chavez, who cut to his left and fired a shot that caught the crossbar and the far post before settling into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.

With an 11-0-1 record when scoring first, FC Dallas' confidence soared following the early goal, but the ball belonged to L.A., who held the majority of possession midway through the first half.

Eventually, in the 32nd minute, a foul on an FC Dallas defender in his third of the field opened the door for a trademark David Beckham free kick. Bending hard to the back post, the cross mixed up FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and defender George John, allowing Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez to tap in an easy goal to knot the game at 1-1.

Coming out of halftime, the Galaxy won another free kick opportunity deep in Dallas' half of the field. Again, Beckham took the kick, delivering a dangerous ball to the far post. This time it was defender Gregg Berhalter who won the ball, but he was unable to put his shot on frame. The rebound traveled out to the top of the area for Juninho, who caught the bouncing ball well enough to send it low off the right post of Hartman and back into the net for a 2-1 lead in the 62nd minute.

Midfielder Daniel Cruz made his FC Dallas debut in the 72nd minute, coming on for Bruno Guarda in an attempt to spark the offense. Instead it was Hartman, who kept FC Dallas in the match with a timely save at the far post. The play began with another dead-ball service from Beckham, who sent a ball into the six-yard box. On its way in, the ball was deflected to the feet of Todd Dunivant, who was in alone on goal. Hartman intervened, charging off his line to take a goal off the foot of Dunivant, before the ball was cleared by John.

Eventually, L.A. got its two-goal lead in the 81st minute on yet another Beckham free kick. This time it was midfielder Mike Magee winning a clean header off a corner kick 12-yards from goal to nod a shot past Hartman for a 3-1 final.

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