Revs Can't Separate from Dallas

Loss Leaves Club Fighting for Playoff Life

October 1, 2009

DALLAS, Texas – The Revolution squandered a golden opportunity to help their postseason chances Wednesday night, dropping a 1-0 decision to resurgent FC Dallas, which now sits just four points back of the Revs for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Jeff Cunningham scored his league-leading 16th goal in the 71st minute and goalkeeper Dario Sala made two saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season to lead FC Dallas.

Matt Reis

Matt Reis and the Revs couldn't increase their lead over FC Dallas. (Chris Aduama/ADUAMA.com)

The loss erased an opportunity for the Revolution (10-9-7, 37 pts.) to make use of one of its games in hand, although the club remains in third place in the Eastern Conference and still occupies the eighth and final spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. FC Dallas (9-12-6, 33 pts.) – long ago thought to be out of the postseason race – is still very much alive just four points back.

Dallas came out firing in front of the big home crowd – on hand for a doubleheader with the national teams of Mexico and Colombia - and almost took the lead just four minutes into the game. Cunningham’s cutting through ball down the right side found Atiba Harris with space, but Harris didn’t get much on his shot and it was palmed away by Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

Harris’ early chance proved to be the best of the opening half, as the only other serious threat arrived in the 28th minute, when the Hoops were again on the attack. David Ferreira’s left-wing cross found Dax McCarty at the back post despite a deflection, but McCarty’s header was comfortably saved by Reis.

After they were stifled for the majority of the first half, the Revs finally threatened early in the second, as Chris Tierney’s whipped free kick in the 54th minute created havoc on the box. A brief scramble resulted in Shalrie Joseph dishing the ball to Amaechi Igwe, whose low blast from close range was smothered by a Dallas defender, drawing unsuccessful shouts for a handball and penalty kick.

It was Dallas which scored the game’s only goal in the 71st minute when Cunningham passed Colorado’s Conor Casey for the league lead in scoring. Harris laid a short pass out to Jair Benitez on the left wing, and Benitez found Cunningham for a powerful diving header eight yards from goal.

The Revs never seriously threatened to draw level, but the action wasn’t finished. A brief tussle between New England’s Wells Thompson and Dallas’ Andre Rocha resulted in both players being given their marching orders.

The Revs will continue their two-game road trip by traveling directly from Texas to Colorado to face the Rapids on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9 p.m. ET, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

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