By: Rees Linn
FC Dallas held on to earn a 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday. The result extends Dallas’s unbeaten streak to a new MLS single season record, 19 matches.
Dallas needed a win to keep their Supporter’s Shield dreams alive, but the draw, combined with LA’s win against Philadelphia on Thursday, may have ended any hopes of lifting the trophy.
The match saw the return of George John to the starting lineup, which will be good news for a Dallas side that has been thin at the back in recent weeks.[picappgallerysingle id=”9902927″]
The match started brightly for the Rapids as Jeff Larentowicz finished off a sweeping counterattacking move past Dario Sala. The aging keeper looked to be caught off guard by the shot from Larentowicz, and it emphasizes the need for Dallas to have a healthy Kevin Hartman in the lineup before the playoffs begin.
Through the rest of the half, Colorado resorted to long searching balls from the back and their deep lying midfielders, and there was virtually no connecting play through the midfield to the strikers. Despite Colorado’s struggles to maintain possession, the Dallas midfield had problems of their own. Both Alexander and Jackson had difficult days, and Dallas didn’t look to be their rhythmic and methodical selves in the center of the pitch.
Through the remainder of the first half, Dallas looked the better of the two sides, and an equalizer came in the 27th minute through Milton Rodriguez. The goal was the fourth in five matches for the Columbian.
Dallas took the lead in the 37th with another fantastic move down the right side as David Ferreira combined well with Marvin Chavez before finishing at the far post. But, Jeff Larentowicz brought the two sides level again when he doubled his tally with a 51st minute header.
The introduction of Brian Mullan in the second half brought more fluidity for Colorado through the midfield. Kimura was able to get forward more on the right, and gaps in the Dallas backline began to appear for Omar Cummings and Conor Casey. Cummings looked especially dangerous, and often found himself in space behind Jair Benitez on the right side of the attack.
Dallas will look to get back to winning ways when the travel to play Real Salt Lake next Saturday. The Texan club will have some serious sorting out to do, especially if Daniel Hernandez and Kevin Hartman still aren’t ready to take the field.
