Chicago's Orr Barouch touches around Dallas's Bruno Guarda (Getty Images)
If last night's MLS matches were to be viewed as set of prize fights, this one would probably be billed as an undercard. It certainly didn't have the flair of some of the other matches on paper, but it had profound significance for both clubs. Chicago needed the points to try and keep up in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference race, and FC Dallas was trying to stop their free fall out west, as they came in winless in their last seven.
The first half was rather uneventful, but Dallas had the better chances. The Fire seemed to have some defensive issues a couple of times and the Hoops almost took advantage in the 18th minute. Jair Benitez cleared the defense from a through ball and looked to have a good go at goal, but couldn't get his shot away. Dallas did take the lead in the 41st minute after a corner kick though. Bryan Leyva sent in the kick and Blas Perez headed it toward goal. Fire 'keeper Sean Johnson saved this attempt gut gave up a rebound. His defense went MIA as Matt Hedges headed in the rebound to give Dallas the 0-1 lead.
The Hoops couldn't hold their lead into the half though. In the 45th minute Sebastian Grazzini took a ball outside the box and sent a brilliant drive into the top left corner. Dallas 'keeper Kevin Hartman had no chance and the goal equalized the match at 1-1 going into halftime.
Dallas came out in an attacking mood in the second half and could have taken the lead early on. In the 50th minute Dominic Oduro took down Bruno Guarda just inside the box and conceded a PK. Yes, it definitely was a forward's challenge, but the contact was minimal. Guarda was looking for it. Blas Perez took the PK for Dallas, but Johnson guessed right, saving the kick and knocking it out to preserve the 1-1 scoreline.
Then in minute 62, Chicago got their shot from the spot. Zach Loyd brought down Marco Pappa in the area to concede it. Like Johnson, Hartman saved the PK attempt from Grazzini but gave up a rebound. Pappa came running in and banged the ball into the goal to give the Fire the 2-1 lead. The only problem was that Pappa encroached big time. Replays showed he came in so early he was nearly even with Grazzini when he struck the ball, however the replay also showed that the official's eyes were glued on the goal and he didn't even see Pappa. Despite the Dallas protests, the goal would stand.
Dallas got a good look to equalize in stoppage time. A Blas Perez rebound fell to goal scorer Hedges, who had a look at a wide open Fire goal, but this time he couldn't get a touch on it and the match finished 2-1 to the Fire.
NOTES: FC Dallas was without Brek Shea, who is serving the 2nd of his 3 game ban. He will also miss the match at Real Salt Lake this weekend. They are now winless in eight matches. They're 3rd from the bottom in the west, just two points ahead of the last place LA Galaxy. For the Fire, it was their first win against Dallas at Toyota Park, and they will take the Brimstone Cup, as this was the only match between the two this year.
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