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MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas stunned in second half by RSL

July 25, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


SANDY, Utah -- FC Dallas had a two-goal lead at the half but were unable to hang on, dropping a 4-2 decision to Real Salt Lake on Friday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. Jeff Cunningham and Dave van den Bergh scored for FCD and Danny Torres scored a game-winning own goal for Salt Lake. Dallas was unable to generate much offense in the early minutes. With Salt Lake controlling the midfield play, FCD were forced to play the ball over the top but ended up with little to show for it. RSL were able to generate a few chances, the best being a left-footed effort by Fabian Espindola that missed wide, but Dallas' defense were up to the task and held RSL scoreless.

Then in the 13th minute, Salt Lake gifted Dallas a good scoring opportunity and Cunningham made sure it wasn't wasted. Cunningham pressured Will Johnson into a turnover at the top of Salt Lake's penalty area. With Nat Borchers in his way, Cunningham elected to shoot instead of take Borchers on. His shot deflected off Borchers' leg and rolled past a helpless Nick Rimando into the net.

The goal was the 108th of Cunningham's MLS career, pulling him into a tie with ex-RSL teammate and coach Jason Kreis on the MLS all-time list.

Energized by their early lead, Dallas once again hit paydirt in the 21st minute, this time courtesy of van den Bergh. Cunningham received the ball in the center of the pitch and made a fast run through Salt Lake's defense. He slotted a through ball to David Ferreira on the right side. Ferreira drew the defense toward him, then made a switch to van den Bergh running unimpeded through the left side of the penalty area. Van den Bergh took a touch to his left and then easily beat a diving Rimando.

After van den Bergh's goal, Dallas played with obvious confidence and poise, playing tidy possession soccer, making RSL chase the game, and patiently waiting for chances to launch an attack. In the 36th minute, Dallas almost made it 3-0 when a cross from a set piece found Drew Moor's head. Moor's header was well taken, but Rimando made a fine save to preserve the scoreline.

And again only one minute later, a van den Bergh free kick from the right side fell to Cunningham's feet. Cunningham struck it from the left side with his first touch, but his shot hit the far post and bounced away.

In the second half, Dallas picked up right where they left off in the first half. In the 49th minute, van den Bergh sent in a corner kick from the right side that bounced around before finally falling at the feet of Andre Rocha who was stationed at point-blank range. He hit a quick shot, but Rimando was able to deflect the ball up in the air where Borchers cleared it away from goal.

Playing with obvious urgency, Salt Lake looked to get themselves back in the game quickly. In the 51st minute, Johnson created some space for himself at the top of the Dallas box and uncorked a wicked left-footed shot. But Ray Burse was there and parried the ball over the crossbar.

In the 55th minute, the home side finally broke through. Halftime substitute Yura Movsisyan made a run down the left side and received a terrific through ball from Javier Morales. Unmarked, Movsisyan went one-on-one with Burse and beat him easily with a low, hard shot to make the match 2-1.

In the 62nd minute, RSL was able to level. After some nice combination play down the right side between Espindola and Tony Beltran, Espindola lobbed a cross to the far post. Robbie Findley made an attempt to latch onto the cross, but he was taken down by Jair Benitez and referee Ricardo Salazar awarded the penalty. Findley stepped up to take his own penalty. Burse guessed correctly by going to his left, but Findley's penalty was still good enough to beat Burse.

But FC Dallas were not done fighting. In the 71st minute, van den Bergh took a dangerous free kick from just outside the penalty area. His shot hit the wall, but it hit the hand of Borchers and Salazar awarded Dallas the penalty. Cunningham shot the penalty low to the right side, but Rimando dove to make an incredible save.

In the 82nd minute, Atiba Harris made a run through the middle of the RSL defense. He unleashed a low, driven shot from just inside the penalty area, but Rimando again made a good diving save.

RSL nearly took the lead in the 86th minute. With a free kick from the right side just inches outside the Dallas penalty box, Morales struck a bending ball toward the near post that Burse was unable to get to. The shot struck the post where it meets the crossbar and then hit Burse in the back of the head and went out.

But in the 88th minute, Salt Lake stole the full three points to complete the comeback. Espindola sent a low cross from the right side to the top of the 6-yard box. The cross hit Danny Torres in the leg as he was coming back to defend and rolled past Burse into the far side of goal to put RSL up 3-2.

With Dallas pushing forward looking for the equalizer, RSL capitalized on the lack of Dallas defenders. Movsisyan scored his second of the night in stoppage time as he got behind the defense and easily beat Burse to give RSL the final margin.

After taking a break for the All-Star game, Dallas will see their next action next Saturday with a home date against the Kansas City Wizards.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 25, 2009


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