FC Dallas battles to draw with Chicago Fire on opening night
Published 3/19/2011 11:30:55 PM by staff from dallas
It was a perfect night for soccer at Pizza Hut Park and FC Dallas and the Chicago Fire put on a show. It was a contentious and very entertaining match as both sides played attractive, attacking soccer. After some early FC Dallas possession and a disallowed goal from Eric Avila in the 10th minute, Chicago found the back of the net first when Chaves tapped a Kevin Hartman rebound into the back of the net for the lead in the 17th minute.
FC Dallas responded almost immediately though as Zach Loyd attacked down the left side, this time threading a low cross to Rodriguez who back-heeled the pass past Johnson for a spectacular equalizer. Dallas kept up the pressure as Chavez and Jackson were giving the visitors fits down the flanks. The match would go to halftime 1-1.
The Fire opened the second half on the front foot and newarly took the lead only to see a close range shot denied by the corssbar. The match took a turn in the 55th minute as Brek Shea lost a ball in the back for FC Dallas. He tried to recover and stop a Gaston Puerari breakaway, but he pulled him down and was shown a red card. The home side would be forced to play the rest of the match a man down.
FC Dallas goalkeeper Kavin Hartman took over from there as he made several wonderful saves to keep the match tied. He stoned Puerari on a clean breakaway and alter made a ridiculous diving save on a Marco Pappa curling shot. In the end, Chicago could not solve Hartman and the entertaining ame ended in a 2-2 draw.
Label: FC Dallas news, David Ferrieri, Brek Shea red card, Milton Rodriguez
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