FC Dallas scores late winner over RSL
Published 10/30/2010 7:59:52 PM by from
Eric Avila scored the biggest goal of his MLS career as his 88th minute goal gave FC Dallas a 2-1 win in the opening leg of the 2010 MLS playoffs against Real Salt Lake. The defending champions RSL had gone ahead in the 5th minute of play as Espindola put them ahead as he curled home a nice finish.
FC Dallas got the game tied just before the half as Jeff Cunningham got on the end of a David Ferreira cross that deflected off two RSL defenders before landing at the veteran scorer’s feet who finished into the left side of the net. Both clubs finished the match with 10 men after Javier Morales was sent off for RSL and Atiba Harris was shown a straight red for FCD.
The late winner was huge for FC Dallas who must travel to Utah next weekend for the second leg. They had to have a win in Frisco and Eric Avila gave it to them.
Avila’s goal came in his playoff debut, though he benefited from some dogged work by MVP candidate David Ferreira. The Colombian playmaker had powered through the RSL midfield before being upended, but Avila overlapped Ferreira as he fell and collected the ball just outside the box before blasting it past Nick Rimando's outstretched arm.
Label: FC Dallas 2 Real Salt Lake 1, Eric Avila, Jeff Cunningham
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