FC Dallas crushes Colorado for first MLS win of 2011
Published 4/9/2011 12:06:17 AM by staff from dallas
It was obvious who the more desparate team was Friday night. Colorado came in feeling quite good about themselves and their start to the 2011 season. FC Dallas had 1 point from 3 games and were needing to get the season back on track. It made for a complete whooping as FC Dallas ran roughshod over an unfocused Colorado Rapids side 3-0.
Led by a David Ferreira brace, 2010 MLS Cup runners-up FC Dallas had no trouble toppling defending champions Colorado Rapids 3-0 at Pizza Hut Park on Friday night. Dallas center back Ugo Ihemelu scored the third.
The much-anticipated rematch between the Western Conference rivals was physical from the first whistle, but as the first half wore on, FCD began to possess the ball and attack through flanks, a style resembling their successful form of last season. Reigning MLS MVP David Ferreira, targeted by opposing teams and limited in his creativity through Dallas’ first three games of the season, finally managed to find space to receive the ball and thrust forward, resulting in utter success for the home side.
Dallas began taking aim on the Rapids net midway through the first 45, when Ferreira and his Colombian compatriot Fabian Castillo each fired shots on goal in the 22nd and 23rd minutes, respectively. However, it was Ihemelu who, in the 26th minute, found back of the net.
After winger Marvin Chavez centered a cleared Ferreira corner kick, the ball landed in front of an unmarked Ugo Ihemelu inside the six. The former Rapid then proceeded to tap it in to give FCD the lead. Unfortunately for Chavez, Eric Avila would have to replace him minutes after assisting on the goal after receiving a cut above his left eye on the play.
The Rapids, who had been dominant in their first games of 2011, were backed up in their own third by a dominant Dallas and struggled to gain any possession.
Dallas would add to Colorado’s woes in the 40th minute. Still in full attack mode, Castillo, in only his second MLS career start, threaded a pass through the Rapids backline and onto the path of a streaking Ferreira, who then finished with a cheeky chip to the right of goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
The Colombian international celebrated his goal by taking a baby pacifier out of his shorts and placing it in his mouth in honor of his wife’s pregnancy.
As the second half began, the FCD offense picked up right where it left off. Just 25 seconds into the second stanza, Dallas captain Daniel Hernandez played a nice ball through the Rapids defense to a running Eric Avila, who then put a perfect ball across the box and to a racing Ferreira. The Colombian finished it off with a sliding tap-in. The match was over from there other than some nasty fouls and yellow cards.
Label: FC Dallas 3 Colorado 0, David Ferreira, Ugo Ihemulu, Brek Shea
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