FC Dallas shellacked the LA Galaxy on Sunday night, 3-0, at the Home Depot Center, earning the club’s first-ever berth in next Sunday’s MLS Cup, where they will face the Colorado Rapids. FCD were the only MLS original never to have appeared in the league final.
The star of the night was David Ferreira, who scored the matchwinner and set up another goal.
The other star for FCD was former Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who was weighing his non-soccer options not too long ago, but who will now have a chance at a third MLS Cup trophy.
LA’s more famous stars, on the other hand, came up blank. David Beckham, who is back on Fabio Capello’s radar, went 90 minutes, though he probably shouldn’t have.
Although FCD head coach Schellas Hyndman didn’t need his now-famous “butter leather” lucky jacket to win the game, he did gave himself a small pat on the back for starting Atiba Harris at striker. And Hyndman's LA counterpart, Bruce Arena, admitted there was no luck involved in Hyndman's coaching performance.
One longtime MLS observer is more than happy that LA’s defend-and-counterattack style will not be in the final and that FC Dallas’ attack-first style will.
Dallas’ opponent next weekend will be the Colorado Rapids, who beat the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0, on Saturday night to earn their second-ever berth in the MLS Cup final. The last—and only—time they played for all the marbles, in 1997, they lost to D.C. United.
But the Rapids, who have won all four previous playoff matchups with Dallas, are getting a head start on garnering fans in Toronto.
For Rapids midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, stopping FC Dallas requires just one thing.
The last time the Rapids were in the final, US international Marcus Hahnemann was their goalkeeper. And last week, there were reports that Hahnemann, currently with EPL side Wolverhampton Wolves, was interested in returning to MLS. But now it seems he’s equally keen on staying in England.
Greek club Aris FC reportedly want former loanee Eddie Johnson back in Thessaloniki.
No Americans made Spanish magazine Don Balón’s recent list of the top 100 young players in the world. There are various reasons presented for why this is, but LA coach Bruce Arena comes down strongly on one culprit: the lack of a reserve league.
One American who was definitely talented as a youngster is struggling of late in the EPL, but Tim Howard’s coach at Everton stuck with him for the match against Arsenal. Regardless, the Toffees lost.
Several Americans scored big goals in Europe this week. Stuart Holden struck a winner for Bolton. Michael Bradley hit one for Borussia Mönchengladbach. And Benny Feilhaber won it for AGF with a late penalty.
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