FC Dallas had taken undisputed possession of second place in the Western Conference and given the playoff hopes of the Kansas City Wizards a real blow. Unfortunately for the Hoops, that was after 75 minutes -- only to see the Wizards score two goals over the final quarter-hour to claim a 2-2 tie on Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park.
Goals from Oscar Pareja -- playing in his final MLS regular season game -- and Ramon Nuñez six minutes apart gave FC Dallas a late lead. But Davy Arnaud halved the lead just two minutes later, then Preki -- also playing in his final MLS regular season game -- scored in the final minute to give the Wizards a vital point.
Kansas City proved to be the hungrier of the two teams early as their playoff lives all but depended on a win from the match. The Wizards switched to a 3-5-2 formation for the second consecutive match, hoping to push more numbers forward in search of the win.
FC Dallas were once again without striker Carlos Ruiz, who didn't return from Guatemala in time for the match, and rookie Abe Thompson started up top where he has proven dangerous the past few games.
The first real promising chance of the match came in the 19th minute as Chris Gbandi sent in a cross to Thompson that was blocked only to have Nuñez find the rebound, but his shot was blocked by Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin. Nuñez continued to show his ever-increasing confidence in his wide midfield role.
Antti Sumiala had one of Kansas City's best attempts of the half in the 38th minute when he came up the left side, but his close-range effort was saved well by FC Dallas goalkeeper Scott Garlick.
Just before the half ended O'Brien and Nunez again combined well with O'Brien sending the Honduras international in on goal, but he put his shot over the bar.
FC Dallas came alive in the second half, taking advantage of a now-desperate Wizards squad as they pushed forward for more scoring chances. And after several near misses in the first 20 minutes of the second half, the Hoops finally came through in the 69th minute.
Two second-half substitutes -- Roberto Mina and Pareja -- put FCD on top. Mina made a nice fake shot to beat his marker and played a solid square ball to Pareja who finished with an emphatic right-footed shot into the far corner that sent the biggest crowd of the year at Pizza Hut Park into a frenzy.
The Hoops didn't let up their pressure as just six minutes later Nuñez took a pass from Simo Valakari just outside the box, lost his defender then punished the ball with his left foot to easily beat Bo Oshoniyi and double the FC Dallas lead.
But after the goal, the Hoops found themselves flat-footed and a long ball over the top found Davy Arnaud, who went in on Garlick. He sent a curling right-footed shot inside the upper right-hand corner of the net to give his side a glimmer of hope with 13 minutes to play.
The Wizards started throwing everyone forward in the last 10 minutes as FCD tried their best to keep possession and hold on for the victory.
The Hoops gave up several free kicks late in the match as they were a little overzealous in protecting the lead. One freekick in the 88th minute got through the wall and hit Garlick in the chest but he was able to fall on it before the oncoming Wizards attackers could get there.
But they couldn't hold out to the end. In the 90th minute, Josh Wolff snuck through and while his point-blank shot was stopped by Garlick, the rebound fell right into Preki's path and easily sent it to the back of the net to give the Wizards a share of the points.
The Wizards have to now wait until Sunday's Chivas USA-MetroStars match to determine their playoff fate. A MetroStars win, and Kansas City is out of the postseason; a Chivas USA win or a tie, and the Wizards will take on the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.
FC Dallas had to wait until the completion of the Los Angeles Galaxy-San Jose Earthquakes to know their playoff opponent in the first round -- and whether they will hold home-field advantage.
MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Josh Wolff (Kansas City Wizards)
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
