MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Keeps Unbeaten Streak Alive with Scoreless Draw

Published on May 23, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Sunday, May 22) - FC Dallas (5-3-3, 18 points) extended its unbeaten streak to six games by drawing Real Salt Lake (5-1-2, 17 points) 0-0 in a lightning-delayed match at Pizza Hut Park Sunday night. The shutout was the fourth straight as goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made two saves to extend the second-longest shutout streak in team history to 399 minutes.

Early in the first half, it appeared Real Salt Lake forward Alvaro Saborio had ended FC Dallas' shutout streak when he got on the end of a Will Johnson cross and nodded home a header from six-yards out. But just as the ball hit the back of the net, referee David Gantar negated the goal, whistling Saborio offside.

The defending Western Conference Champions battled back and earned a corner kick shortly after the disallowed goal. On the set piece, FC Dallas' George John nearly put the home side up 1-0 in the 25th minute when he stretched out to redirect a shot at the near post. The defender slid to volley a loose ball on goal only to have Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando recover to make a spectacular diving save to his left side.

Following the scoreless first half, FC Dallas midfielder Andrew Jacobson made a long run into Real Salt Lake territory before being cut down by a defender just outside the top of the box. Captain Daniel Hernandez opted to take the kick, launching a low line-drive just wide of the far post. With two of the top defenses in the league on the field, the chance was the best opportunity either team had until the game was delayed in the 83rd minute with severe storms moving through the area.

Both teams had chances to win the match following the one-hour and 52-minute delay. Real Salt Lake's chance came in the 88th minute when Kyle Beckerman tested Hartman at the near post on a free kick attempt from 35-yards out. The veteran goalkeeper preserved his MLS record 98th career shutout by diving high to his right side and ushering the ball out for a corner kick.

Dallas' chance came two-minutes later when Zach Loyd lofted a long cross to the back post for Ruben Luna. The 19-year old FC Dallas Academy product brought the pass down in traffic and turned on goal before colliding with a Real Salt Lake defender and falling to the ground just outside the six-yard box. Luna looked for Gantar to point to the penalty spot, but no call was given.

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