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MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Falls 3-2 to Chicago Fire

October 12, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas "" FC Dallas (10-11-11, 41 points) fell behind, 3-0, before coming back to make it a one-goal game via two goals from Kenny Cooper, but the Chicago Fire (13-13-7, 46 points) tightened up defensively to hold on for a 3-2 victory tonight at Toyota Stadium.

The loss officially eliminated FC Dallas from playoff contention.

FC Dallas had a good chance to go ahead in the sixth minute squashed by Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. The play began with Jair Benitez knocking a first-touch ball over the top of the Fire defense for David Ferreira. Ferreira outhustled a Fire defender to win the ball before dropping the ball into the path of fellow Colombian Fabian Castillo. The 21-year-old went by two defenders before firing a hard shot at Johnson, who was in perfect position to punch the ball away and keep the score tied, 0-0.

Chicago went up 1-0 on a goal scored by Juan Luis Anangono. Mike Magee picked up an assist on the play, when he took a corner kick on the right flank and picked out Anangono at the near post. The Ecuadorian rose above his marker at the top corner of the six-yard box to redirect the ball past FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz and into the far side netting.

The Fire added a second goal in the 42nd minute when Chicago midfielder Alex took advantage of a turnover by the FC Dallas defense near the top of the box. The Brazilian took a touch towards the center of the field before firing a hard shot aimed at the back post that struck Magee in the chest and deflected into the back of the net.

Chicago continued to press at the start of the second half earning a corner kick in the 52nd minute. Magee sent another ball into the six-yard box, where FC Dallas center back Matt Hedges won the ball, popping it high into the air. Jackson battled a Fire defender and managed to clear the ball outside the area, but Jalil Anibaba took control of the ball there. The Fire right back took a touch inside and bent a right-footed shot just inside the far post to put Chicago up, 3-0.

FC Dallas got a goal back in the 63rd minute when Ferreira received a pass on Dallas' left flank and played a perfect cross in to the feet of striker Kenny Cooper. Inside the six-yard box, the Jesuit product controlled the pass with his thigh before outmuscling his defender and slipping a close-range shot past Johnson to make it 3-1.

Jackson earned a penalty kick for Dallas in the 75th minute when Andrew Jacobson knocked a long ball over the top of the Fire's backline. Jackson brought the ball down perfectly with his right foot and was in on goal when he came together with Fire defender Gonzalo Segares. Referee Kevin Stott pointed to the spot after noticing the assistant referee's flag go up. Cooper stepped up to take the penalty kick and beat Johnson from 12 yards out with a hard shot, low to the goalkeeper's left side.

Chicago nearly took a two-goal lead in the 89th minute when Jeff Larentowicz intercepted a pass at midfield and ran towards goal. Larentowicz drew both available defenders before dishing to Anangono, who had a free shot at goal, but Seitz came flying off his line to take the ball off the foot of the attacking player and keep FC Dallas in the match.

Unfortunately for FC Dallas, the team was unable to muster anything offensively and Chicago escaped Frisco with a valuable three points while the home side was forced to watch its playoff hopes disappear.

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