FC Dallas cruised by the Seattle Sounders 2-0 on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Lots of running, few chances
From the second the game starts, both clubs were running up and down the pitch and moving the ball at a rapid pace. The Sounders and the Hoops were able to complete a high percentage of their passes. Seattle finished the game with 86 percent of their 579 passes completed. Meanwhile, the Toros had 83 percent of their 430 passes hit their targets.
Overall both clubs were able to move the ball around the field. However, for some reason, their movement on the ball did not translate to that many goal scoring chances. The two clubs combined for seven shots on target. The Rave Green and Dallas struggled to create seven chances a piece in the game. A big reason for their offensive struggles was the physicality of the match.
Neither defense gave up too many chances in the final third. There were a combined 26 clearances made in the match. Additionally, the two keepers-Dallas’ Chris Seitz and Seattle’s Stefan Frei-responded by recording a combined five saves.
Also, there were a combined 24 tackles and 23 fouls in the game. Given that, it was remarkable that the two clubs finished with such a high passing completion percentage. Their energy seemed to be spent by the time it came to taking chances.
The Hoops break through
A poor decision from veteran center back Chad Marshall awarded the home side a penalty in the opening minutes of the match. Marshall was standing behind Walker Zimmerman in the center of the penalty box when the ball was heading his direction in the air. He placed both of his hands on Zimmerman and instantly brought him down in the box.
Referee Ricardo Salazar did not hesitate and gave Dallas the penalty. Argentinean playmaker Mauro Diaz stepped up to take, and blasted the ball into the roof of the net to give the Hoops a 1-0 lead at the third minute.
Diaz goal was the first for Dallas from a midfielder or forward since their 2-1 home victory over Sporting Kansas City on April 17th. Michael Barrios and Mauro Rosales were the last offensive players to score for the Toros till Diaz.
Barrios ices the game
However, after scoring the first goal so early in the match it would take 77 minutes for the second to arrive. Substitute Rosales set up the second goal by supplying Barrios with a through ball into the box.
The Colombian attacker was able to control the ball as he entered the penalty box with a world class touch that set up his eventual goal. USMNT and Sounders’ defender Brad Evans was able to catch up and in the last second, he launched himself and slid right into the path of the shot. However, Barrios kept his cool and released a rocket that flew between Evans' legs and into the bottom left-hand corner to seal the 2-0 victory at the 80th minute.
Where they stand
With this victory, Dallas stays in second place with 23 points. However, with the first place Colorado Rapids tying the Columbus Crew SC 1-1 on Saturday at MAPFRE Stadium the gap between them and Dallas is now just one point.
Seattle's frustrating season continues with them picking up their fifth defeat of the season in their first 10 games of the campaign. Seattle is currently in eighth place with 13 points. However, they cannot continue to lose games since the gap between them and sixth place is starting to grow.
Up next?
Dallas will be heading to the state of Massachusetts next Saturday to face the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium. As for the Sounders, they will be heading back home to host the Rapids on Saturday at CenturyLink Field.