Streak snapped as FC Dallas fall
Heading into the match, FCD had won all three of its matches in May. However, Maykel Galindo broke through early in the second half and Ante Razov added a late goal for Chivas USA to give the home side the win.
The loss also marked the 17th consecutive match in which FCD was unable to hold an opponent scoreless, a streak dating back nine months.
With the loss, FCD's Western Conference lead is reduced to one point ahead of the second-place Colorado Rapids.
Without the services of striker Carlos Ruiz, who was serving a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation, FCD's offense sputtered and was unable to create much trouble for Chivas USA. The forward tandem of Kenny Cooper and Abe Thompson struggled to put together many meaningful possessions and were largely held in check by Chivas USA's backline.
FCD had its first scoring opportunity five minutes into the match when Alex Yi got his head on a Ramon Nunez corner kick. The tall defender's attempt, though, sailed over the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Yi nearly cost his side a goal with a defensive mishap. A long pass was sent into the FCD third of the field and Yi was slow in clearing the ball away. The speedy Galindo raced toward the ball and was able to get a foot on the bouncing ball before Yi could clear it, lofting a 20-yard shot over the head of out-of-position Dario Sala. Luckily for FCD, however, Galindo's attempt hit the crossbar and went out of play for a goal kick.
In the 21st minute, Galindo put another scare into FCD with a 10-yard header going just wide right of the goal.
FCD midfielder Pablo Ricchetti was the first to test Chivas USA 'keeper Brad Guzan on the evening. The Argentinean hooked up with Abe Thompson for a clever give-and-go before sending a 20-yard shot straight into Guzan's chest.
On the half-hour mark, Chivas USA was stopped cold by two impressive saves by Sala during a frenzied sequence of events. First, Galindo ran onto a ball passed into space and raced towards goal. Sacha Kljestan ran into space on the right side of the penalty area and Galindo slipped him a pass, but his ensuing shot was blocked by Sala.
FCD was unable to clear the ball, however, and Galindo found it again on the left side of the penalty area where he shot, only to be denied again by Sala.
Galindo put Chivas USA on the scoreboard in the 51st minute. The Cuban forward unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from 30 yards out that Sala was unable to reach as he dove to his left. The goal was Galindo's fifth of the season.
Then, in stoppage time, Razov beat Sala to a loose ball near midfield after the goalkeeper had pushed forward for a last-gasp effort. Razov calmly kicked the ball at the empty net and it slowly rolled in to give them a 2-0 lead and a win.
The road for FCD will become more challenging in the near future as the team will lose three key members to international duty. Carlos Ruiz, Chris Gbandi and Dominic Oduro all have been called up by their respective national teams and will not play in at least one match, next week's visit to Houston.
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
