Match Thoughts: FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake

Nick Rimando and Dallas's Zach Loyd collide (Getty Images)

Coming into RSL's midweek matchup at FC Dallas, a supporter might be forgiven for thinking the latest road swing had been an unmitigated disaster for the Claret and Cobalt, having failed to pick up a point at either Sporting Kansas City or San Jose.  The results had dropped them out of first place in the Western Conference.  Still, they had played pretty well.  Only a blown mark on a corner kept them from a point at red hot Sporting and San Jose was finally able to manage 2 goals in stoppage time to overcome a nine man RSL squad last weekend.  RSL wanted something better in Dallas, but that's always a tough call for them.

Salt Lake certainly came out the brighter of the two squads.  They forced a great chance in the opening minutes as Paulo Jr found Alvaro Saborio, but Sabo's shot was saved expertly by former RSL 'keeper Chris Seitz, playing once again for the injured Kevin Hartman. 

After the first five or ten minutes though, the visitors surrendered the initiative to FC Dallas, and the Hoops piled on the pressure, getting quite a few set piece and corner kick looks at the RSL goal.  Fabian Castillo was a pest in RSL's side all night, forcing a save out Rimando in the 19th minute.  Finally Dallas's pressure paid off in first half stoppage time, when RSL's Tony Beltran was whistled for a handball in the box.  Homer alert: I thought it was BS, and even the official MLS recap says it "appeared to graze Beltran's elbow."  At any rate, Brek Shea nailed the spot kick and Dallas took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

\The second half was pretty much all RSL though. They took control of possession and the match and started to pressure Seitz's goal.  They clearly won the battle of the midfield in the second half, in convincing fashion.  They finally got their equalizer in the 72nd minute, when Will Johnson found sub striker Emiliano Bonfigli, who managed to beat the Dallas back line and Chris Seitz to find the back of the net and tie the match at 1-1.  Dallas managed to hang on and both teams seemed to be content with the 1-1 draw at the end, although the two dropped points at home will hurt Dallas a little more.  The result moves RSL back to joint top with San Jose.

Notes:  RSL was without striker Fabian Espindola and defender Jamison Olave, both of whom were suspended after red cards against San Jose.  Emiliano Bonfigli's 72nd minute goal came in only his second MLS appearance.   For Dallas, they were without Blas Perez, who was suspended by MLS for actions during Dallas's away loss to Vancouver.  Dallas MF Carlos Rodríguez was stretchered off with an arm injury in the second half, and Jackson made his first appearance in 2012 after being recalled from his loan at Cruziero in Brazil.