FRISCO, TX (September 27, 2017) – FC Dallas ended their 10 game winless streak on Wednesday night. They won the match 2-1, leaving Colorado Rapids eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs. Stefan Aigner made his first MLS start. Hernán Grana and Mauro Díaz were instrumental in the win.
Dallas Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jesse Gonzalez — Hernán Grana, Matt Hedges, Maynor Figueroa, Atiba Harris — Javier Morales, Carlos Gruezo — Michael Barrios, Mauro Díaz(C), Roland Lamah — Maximiliano Urruti
Colorado Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Tim Howard(C) — Eric Miller, Kortne Ford, Bobby Burling, Mekeil Williams — Bismark Boateng, Micheal Azira — Stefan Aigner, Mohammed Saeid, Dillon Serna — Dominique Badji
FC Dallas Win 2-0 To End Slump As Colorado Rapids Eliminated From Playoffs
Dallas looked to end their slump by changing things up early. They took advantage of Colorado’s issues with marking in the back, as Bobby Burling was making his first MLS start since May.
Figueroa got the scoring going in the 4th minute on a restart. Dallas took a quick free kick. Grana got some space on the wing and delivered a low cross in front of goal. No one attacked the ball and Figueroa got behind the back line to blast the ball into the top of the net.
The home side scored again on a very similar play just five minutes later. Dallas were moving the ball well in the midfield. Díaz sent a long cross towards goal. Grana gathered it and chipped it in front of goal. Again, no Rapids player attacked the ball or had position on the man. Roland Lamah attacked the ball and scored.
Dallas continued to dominate the match with possession. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was tested. The Rapids looked to counter but had to rely on set pieces to get anything truly dangerous.
The best chance of the night for Colorado came in the 37th minute. Mohammed Saied sent a bending ball over the wall, but Jesse Gonzalez was up to it, making a great save.
The two teams traded half chances (and yellow cards) in the second half, but nothing came of it. Dominique Badji got a few chances on the counter when his team got him the ball. Ultimately for the Rapids, it was too little too late. The match ended 2-0 in favor of FC Dallas.
Scoring Summary:
6′ Dallas – Maynor Figueroa, assisted by Hernán Grana and Mauro Díaz
9′ Dallas – Roland Lamah, assisted by Hernán Grana and Mauro Díaz
Last Word:
I feel like the last few road games (other than at Houston Dynamo) have had the same script. The Rapids have a slow start and defensive breakdowns cost them. Marking and hesitancy in and around the box have killed this team. They make some adjustments and start trying to counter. But it’s never enough. Other than Badji, the entire offense lacks urgency. They’re officially eliminated from the playoffs and that’s what they deserve.
On the other side, Head Coach Oscar Pareja has to be happy to get three points. They beat a team they should have. Lamah and Díaz had good performances. Urruti was invisible at times. They now have a huge road game at Orlando City SC (where not that many Western Conference opponents have gotten points) on Saturday.
