Last minute penalty kick gives FC Dallas 2-2 draw with Seattle
Published 4/22/2010 8:54:33 PM by staff from dallas
It took another last minute rally at home for FC Dallas to salvage a draw. This time it was a 93rd minute penalty kick from Jeff Cunningham earned FC Dallas a 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC Thursday night. It was another opportunity lost for FC Dallas who have only three ties to show from three home games so far in the young MLS season. Those wasted points will definitely come back to haunt the team later in the season. The home side took advantage of a moment of miscommunication in the Seattle defense as Jeff Cunningham raced around Hurtado and knicked the ball before Kasey Keller could get to it. Keller collided with Cunningham who went down earning the penalty kick. Jeff Cunningham converted the penalty kick while Keller took a knock on the previous pay and had to be replaced at halftime. It looked like FC Dallas were on their way to the first win of the season, but then Steve Zakuani struck for Seattle. A long ball caught Dallas defender Zach Loyd out of position and left Zakuani running down the left side. George John misread the speed and was far too late coming over to help as Zakuani cruised in and finished nicely past Dario Sala. The game went to halftime tied 1-1. The second was pretty much one way traffic as the Sounders sat deep and FC Dallas attacked. Then Seattle earned a free kick 30 yards out and Fredy Montero made his mark on the night. A wonderful freekick curled over the wall and past the diving Sala giving Seattle a 2-1 lead against the run of play. From there FC Dallas poured on the pressure as Seattle looked to escape with the win. Just at the death, substitute Jason Yeisley picked up a loose ball at the top of the 18 and bullied his way towards goal. He pushed the ball between two defenders and as he split the two he fell forward. The referee bought the fall and awarded the controversial penalty kick. Jeff Cunningham was money again from the spot and FC Dallas rallied for the draw. The tie leaves FC Dallas still in last place in the MLS Western Conference with only three points from four games and trailing the LA Galaxy by nine points already.
Label: FC Dallas 2 Seattle 2, Steve Zakuani, Jeff Cunningham
|