CARSON, Calif. -- FC Dallas extended their unbeaten streak to three games Saturday night, downing Chivas USA 2-1 at The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles. David Ferreira was the hero of the night, scoring the second goal to hand Dallas just their second road win of the 2010 campaign.
Chivas USA found a bit of inspiration from Osael Romero in the 58th minute, but the effort wasn’t enough to halt the Goat’s now six-game losing streak. The Red-and-White have failed to earn a league point since May 5th and currently sit on the bottom of the Western Conference, with just 10 points from 13 games.
The first half of Saturday’s match was marked by inconsistent play on both sides of the ball. Many of the players looked in desperate need to rid themselves of the cobwebs from the two-week World Cup hiatus and neither team was able to create any truly fluid offense.
It was Dallas who broke through first, tucking the ball into the net just before halftime. The goal came after a Ferreira corner kick that appeared to be poked in by Dallas striker Brek Shea. After close review, however, the score was ruled an own-goal, with replays clearly showing the ball ricocheting off the leg of defender Ante Jazic to put FCD ahead 1-0.
Chivas USA finally got on the board in the 58th minute when team captain Mariano Trujillo pushed forward down the right flank and sent a cross into the box from 25 yards out. Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman raced off his line to quell the danger, but was beaten to the ball by Romero, who deftly headed over Hartman for his first career MLS goal and a 1-1 scoreline.
Any momentum the Goats had earned was quickly squelched just a minute later.
With celebratory confetti still floating down from the ceiling of The Home Depot Center, speedy Dallas midfielder Marvin Chavez found himself with space to run after a clever pass from teammate Atiba Harris. The Honduran international raced toward the right side of the penalty area, where he was met by a bungling tackle from Jazic.
Despite pleas from the Red-and-White defenders, head referee Abbey Okulaja calmly pointed to the spot. It was Ferreira who stepped up to take the penalty, calmly burying the ball in the left side of Zach Thornton’s net to take his side ahead 2-1.
Chivas USA pushed hard in the game’s final thirty minutes, but were unable to break a resolute Dallas defense. The Goats will, however, take solace in the solid play of Salvadoran midfielder Romero, who finally started to show some of the fancy footwork that originally caught head coach MartÃn Vásquez’s eye and provided the driving force behind the Red-and-White offense in the last half-hour.
Dallas, who improved to 4-2-6 and displaced Houston from fifth place spot in the Western Conference, will now head to Kansas City to take on the Wizards.
Chivas USA, now 3-9-1, must prepare for a tough Open Cup test against PDL side Austin Aztex in Fullerton, Calif. on Tuesday night.
Scoring Summary:
DAL -- own goal (Ante Jazic) 45
CHV -- Osael Romero 1 (Mariano Trujillo 3) 59
DAL -- David Ferreira 2 (penalty kick) 61
Misconduct Summary:
CHV -- Michael Lahoud (caution; Reckless Tackle) 1
DAL -- Bruno Guarda (caution; Tactical Foul) 71
Lineups:
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Heath Pearce, George John, Ugo Ihemelu, Jair Benitez, Marvin Chavez (Eric Avila 69), Daniel Hernandez, Dax McCarty (Bruno Guarda 59), Brek Shea, David Ferreira (Zach Loyd 89), Atiba Harris. Substitutes Not Used: Jeff Cunningham, Kyle Davies, Jason Yeisley, Dario Sala.
Chivas USA -- Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Michael Umana, Dario Delgado, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud, Osael Romero (Chukwudi Chijindu 84), Blair Gavin, Jesus Padilla (Maicon Correa 76), Justin Braun, Maykel Galindo (Ben Zemanski 68). Substitutes Not Used: Carlos Borja, Jorge Flores, Yamith Cuesta, Dan Kennedy.
Referee: Abbey Okulaja
Referee's Assistants: Eric Boria; Fabio Tovar
4th Official: Edvin Jurisevic
Weather: Clear and 66 degrees
Attendance: 14,173
