Tesho Akindele, FC Dallas Deliver On The Road Against Chivas USA (VIDEO)

Aug 3, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; FC Dallas forward Blas Perez (7) and midfielder Victor Ulloa (28) celebrate a goal in the second half of the game against Chivas USA at StubHub Center. FC Dallas won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Sometimes it just takes one stroke of brilliance from one promising rookie to deliver a big victory for a championship contender. Tesho Akindele was the hero for Oscar Pareja’s FC Dallas with his goal in the 49th minute that gave Dallas a 1-0 victory over Wilmer Cabrera’s Chivas USA at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. The goal came off a successful sequence initiated by Fabian Castillo and Blas Perez.

The match started quietly, with the first big chance coming in the 11th minute, when Chivas trigger man Erick Torres had a header blocked. In the 20th minute, more bad luck came for Chivas USA when Leandro Barrera and Nathan Sturgis saw their attempts saved. Marvin Chavez had a left-footed shot from outside the box miss to the left in the 23rd minute. Castillo had the first major opportunity for Dallas in the 29th minute with a shot that was blocked, followed by solid defending on Donny Toia and Perez.

Chivas USA had the upper hand in offensive chances but FC Dallas were able to compose themselves and counter with some great opportunities, such as that in the 36th minute, where Perez was denied by Dan Kennedy. Another chance from Chavez in the 39th minute was also blocked and Barrera’s next attempt second late was saved by Raul Fernandez. Castillo and Agustin Pelletieri tried their luck at slotting one past the keeper in the 40th and 42nd minutes, respectively, but to no avail.

Four minutes into the second half, Akindele finally broke the deadlock for his fourth goal of the season. Take a look at how this goal unfolded.

Adam Moffat was hoping to double the advantage for Dallas in the 51st minute but missed wide right. Mauro Diaz got involved in some creativity in the 58th minute, but a blocked shot and an offsides to Akindele prevented that from being worse for Chivas USA. Kennedy came up with another solid save in the 61st minute with a stop on Castillo, who tried a through ball for Perez in the 66th minute but was offsides.

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Rookie Eriq Zaveleta was hoping to put the match on equal terms in the 68th minute but was denied by Fernandez. In the 76th minute, Castillo was offsides again, adding to his evening of frustrations. Torres had a rocket of a shot sail over and out in the 78th minute of play. New acquisition Akira Kaji made one of the more impressive clearances of Castillo in the 81st minute of play and Akindele was denied his brace once again.

Toia came close in the 90th minute but his shot was collected by Fernandez. Castillo’s attempt in the second minute of second half stoppage time hit the post, a sign of the poor finishing by both teams. Avila, who came in off the bench for Marvin Chavez in the 69th minute of play, could have delivered a last-gasp equalizer, but it was collected at point-blank range by Fernandez, preserving the shutout.

Team Statistics

Chivas USA Player Ratings

Dan Kennedy 5, Akira Kaji 5, Donny Toia 5, Eriq Zavaleta 5, Tony Lockhead 4, Agustin Pelletieri 4, Leandro Barrera 5, Marvin Chavez 4, Nathan Sturgis 4, Oswaldo Minda 3, Erick Torres 6, Mauro Rosales 4, Eric Avila 3, Ryan Finley NR

FC Dallas Player Ratings

Raul Fernandez 8, Je-Vaughn Watson 7, Matt Hedges 6.5, Moises Hernandez 7, Zach Loyd 7, Adam Moffat 6, Andres Escobar 5, Fabian Castillo 8, Victor Ulloa 7, Blas Perez 8, Tesho Akindele 9, Mauro Diaz 4.5, Walker Zimmerman NR, Michel NR