FC Dallas 1-1 Chivas USA: Point And Counterpoint

May 17, 2014; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas forward Fabian Castillo (11) celebrates scoring a goal against the Chivas USA with midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson (27) and defender Matt Hedges (24) in the second half at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas and Chivas tied 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dear Mauro Diaz,

Get well soon.

Signed,
Your Teammates at FC Dallas

Oscar Pareja’s FC Dallas are starting to see the wheels fall off early. Now it’s still a little bit early in the season and there is loads of time to put the wheels back on the gravy train and add a little Texas high octane, but dropping points before the World Cup break is something managers with a recipe for defeat are notorious for.

On Saturday, FC Dallas played to a 1-1 draw with Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA, who are building confidence with each passing game. Hey, at least the Bold Predictions were right that the match would end in a draw, so that has to count for something. Wrong numbers, but still a draw. Oh, and Mauro Diaz, please get healthy soon. You’re making us experts look worse for wear. Muchas gracias.

Now here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between FC Dallas and Chivas USA.

1. One too many offsides

FC Dallas started out of the gates strong. Adam Moffat had a chance in the 11th minute go high and over the bar. However, the flow of play was hindered by one too many offside calls. Chivas striker Erick Torres was caught offsides in the 12th minute, Fabian Castillo saw the flag go up in the 19th, and he was caught again offsides in the 21st minute of play.

2. Big plays near Big D

With neither team willing to budge, the match needed to get to a little bit more wide open in its intentions. Dallas defender Stephen Keel delivered a challenge on Torres in the 23rd minute, triggering a free kick from Mauro Rosales that missed wide left. Again, Castillo was offside in the 25th minute of play, but in the 29th minute, a shot from Castillo was saved by Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Carlos Bocanegra tried his luck in the 29th minute but it was blocked.

3. Dallas keep firing, Chivas fire right back

Both teams continued to keep the game a wide-open contest Je-Vaughn Watson’s header in the 31st minute from Michel was saved by Kennedy, who also came up big in the 33rd minute with a save on Matt Hedges. Another attempt from Moffat was blocked in the 36th minute. Marco Delgado was given a yellow in the 43rd minute for a challenge on Watson. Chivas USA finished the half strong: Oswaldo Minda’s attempt in the first minute of first half stoppage time was blocked, as was an attempt from Eric Avila in the second minute.

4. Heeeeeeere’s Mikey!

Early on in the second half, all the big guns were taking stabs. Castillo had a shot hit the side netting from a difficult angle in the 48th minute. Watson had another attempt in the 52nd minute sail wide left. And Moffat tried his luck in the 55th, also missing to the left. In the 60th minute, Delgado opened the scoring in the 60th minute on a sequence from Rosales and Rivero.

5. And heeeeeee’s Fabian!

With fresh wind at their sails, Chivas USA looked to impose their will on Dallas. Rivero’s shot from outside the box sailed too high following a set piece in the 65th minute. Blas Perez wanted none of that, but his volley in the 69th minute was blocked. Rivero’s next bite of the cherry in the 71st minute was saved by Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez, who was returning after a long layoff to relieve Chris Seitz. Midfielder Victor Ulloa was cautioned in the 76th minute for a pulldown of Rivero.

Castillo was shaken up in the 78th minute but would continue to finish his minutes on the field. Chivas substitute Carlos Alvarez looked to get on the scoresheet in the 81st minute but missed wide right. Andres Escobar was hoping to put the match on even terms in the 82nd minute but his shot was blocked. Eventually, it was Castillo that did put the match on level terms in the 83rd minute of play off a Jair Benitez cross.

6. The comeback trail falls short

Rookie Tesho Akindele came in for Perez in the 85th looking to complete the comeback trail for Dallas. Kennedy saved a shot by Watson in the 85th minute, and now the Goats were unstuck as they conceded a couple of corners soon after. Minda was cautioned in the 88th minute, but the ensuing Benitez free kick would be called back due to Keel being offsides. Kennedy was also given a yellow in the third minute of second half stoppage time for time wasting.

Dallas had three more chances from Hedges (90′ + 3′), Castillo (90′ + 4′) and Watson (90′ + 5′), but Benitez was caught offsides, Castillo’s chance sailed left and Watson’s chance from Akindele also sailed left. Chivas had one more opportunity to break the deadlock in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time but Delgado was caught offsides, preventing his brace.

FC Dallas Player Ratings

Raul Fernandez 5, Stephen Keel 6, Zach Loyd 6, Matt Hedges 7, Michel 6, Jair Benitez 8, Fabian Castillo 9, Adam Moffat 6, Je-Vaughn Watson 7, Victor Ulloa 6.5, Andres Escobar 4, David Texeira NR, Tesho Akindele NR, Blas Perez 5

Chivas USA Player Ratings

Dan Kennedy 6.5, Bobby Burling 5, Eric Avila 6, Carlos Bocanegra 7, Donny Toia 6, Leandro Barrera 5, Marco Delgado 7.5, Carlos Alvarez 4, Oswaldo Minda 4.5, Martin Rivero 7, Mauro Rosales 7, Ryan Finley 4, Erick Torres 5, Eriq Zavaleta NR