MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Nets 1-0 Victory at Home Over Toronto FC

Published on May 12, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas- On a rainy night at Pizza Hut Park, FC Dallas powered itself to a 1-0 victory over visiting Toronto FC thanks to a first-half penalty kick from Daniel Hernandez, the captain ‚¬â„¢s first MLS goal since 2002.

Toronto FC remains winless in five visits to Pizza Hut Park while FC Dallas extended its unbeaten streak to four games.

Toronto had the first shot on goal - a strike from Alen Stevanovic - but FCD goalkeeper Kevin Hartman easily wrapped the ball up in the seventh minute, and soon after Dallas began to use their flanks to stretch the three-man Toronto midfield.

In the 15th minute FCD attacker Marvin Chavez got past Adrian Cann on the right side of the pitch. Chavez sent a high cross through the six-yard-box, but nobody was home to finish it off.

In the 32nd minute, Toronto defender Danleigh Borman nearly scored an own goal. A Brek Shea cross forced the left back to slide and clear the ball, but it almost trickled into the right side of Toronto ‚¬â„¢s goal.

In the last 10 minutes of the first half things got chippy on the rain-soaked night in Frisco.

Shea and Richard Eckersley, who would battle for most of the night, both left their feet to contest a header at midfield. Eckersley ended up barreling into Shea, and received a yellow card for his efforts.

In the 44th minute, FC Dallas were awarded a controversial penalty by referee Yader Reyes.

Tony Tchani fouled Shea just inside Toronto ‚¬â„¢s side of the field, and on the ensuing set-piece TFC center back Adrian Cann pulled down Dallas defender George John. Reyes saw enough to blow his whistle and point to the penalty spot, though Toronto assistant Bob de Klerk was ejected from the match for his protestations from the bench.

Hernandez stood over the penalty kick - FC Dallas ‚¬â„¢ second of the year- and hit a low liner to goalkeeper Stefan Frei ‚¬â„¢s right side while the Swiss ‚¬Ëœkeeper dove left. The goal was Hernandez ‚¬â„¢s first with FC Dallas.

After halftime, Toronto FC came out seeking better possession with playmaker Stevanovic working hard to make something happen for the Canadian side.

Toronto head coach Aron Winter subbed Joao Plata out after only five minutes and brought in Javier Martina to provide more offensive spark.

But it was FC Dallas that continued to threaten. In the 73rd minute, Hernandez flicked a ball to Chavez that put the Honduran in on goal. Frei was up to the task, however, parrying the shot out for a corner.

Toronto ‚¬â„¢s lone scoring threat of the second half came two minutes later as Martina sprinted down the right sideline with Mikael Yourassowsky in a two on one. FCD defender Jackson Goncalves dove at Martina as he entered the 18-yard-box and Martina went down looking for the penalty call. Instead of pointing to the spot, Reyes issued a yellow to Martina for diving.

FC Dallas's (4-3-2) home stand continues as they take on the Philadelphia Union Saturday evening. Toronto FC (2-4-4) returns to BMO Field where they will play host to the Chicago Fire.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 12, 2011


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