Oct 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; FC Dallas forward Fabian Castillo (11) dribbles the ball in the first half against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oscar Pareja’s FC Dallas qualified for the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs after one of the most insipid second halves of football from Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy since their ugly display against the Columbus Crew in August. Dallas’s 2-1 win puts them in a possible position to face the league-leading Seattle Sounders.
For the Galaxy, tonight’s performance is a clear indicator of the team’s constant inability to win important games on the road this season. A win next week against the Sounders at StubHub Center will not be enough because they will then need at least a draw at one of the toughest venues in the competition in CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash. Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between FC Dallas and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
1. More misses than hits early on
Early on in the first half, Omar Gonzalez was forced to clear a big opportunity for Fabian Castillo in the third minute. A free kick for Landon Donovan in the sixth minute of play missed Leonardo. Three straight Michel corners came in the space of as many minutes, and all were cleared.
After FC Dallas put on the pressure, the Galaxy countered with chances of their own. A cross from Zardes for Donovan in the 11th minute of play missed the mark. Meanwhile, a 13th minute shot from Stefan Ishizaki was collected by Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz.
2. Ishizaki delivers the first blow
A.J. DeLAGarza earned a yellow in the 18th minute for a challenge on Andres Escobar. The ensuing free kick from 35 yards out by Michel was cleared. A cross from Baggio Husiedic in the 20th minute was intercepted by Matt Hedges. Ishizaki’s chip gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute which came from a good cross on the left side from Zardes followed by a deflection.
Juninho had a shot in the 24th minute just miss wide right, a sign that the Galaxy were not satisfied with their lead and needed to apply continued pressure on the playoff-chasing FC Dallas. In the 25th minute, Michel’s next set piece was headed over by Hedges. Donovan had a cross miss in the 28th minute of play.
3. Dallas apply pressure but to no avail
A shot from Castillo in the 30th minute was cleared by Galaxy defender James Riley, who was just earning playing time after a long layoff due to surgery. The ensuing corner was saved by Penedo. David Texeira and Tesho Akindele tried to team up in the 34th minute but the header missed. Michel’s next set piece in the 35th minute was cleared and the chance from Walker Zimmerman missed wide right.
Leonardo, a much maligned defender for most of the season for LA, delivered a couple of timely clearances in the 39th minute. Speaking of Leonardo, Zach Loyd put himself out of commission for a few minutes in the 42nd minutes of play after crashing into the Brazilian. RIley was cautioned for another harsh challenge on Escobar in the 44th minute.
Team Statistics
FC Dallas on left, Los Angeles Galaxy on right
5 Shots 4
1 Shots on Target 2
2 Shots off Target 2
2 Blocked Shots 0
6 Corners 1
16 Crosses 6
1 Offsides 1
8 Fouls 9
0 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 0
151 Total Passes 175
75 % Passing Accuracy 75 %
48.3 % Possession 51.7 %
29 Duels Won 31
3 Tackles Won 9
1 Saves 1
7 Clearances 25
4. David Texeira evens the score
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Early on in the second half, fourth official Juan Guzman took over from Kelly as the man in the middle due to a heel injury. A shot from Akindele in the 48th minute had too much lift. A 51st minute set piece from Ishizaki was collected by Chris Seitz. In the 52nd minute, Texeira made no mistake on a breakaway to make it 1-1 Dallas. The Galaxy did not acquit themselves on the offside trap on that play, conceding Texeira’s fourth MLS goal of the season.
Castillo almost made it 2-1 in the 54th minute but was called back for offsides. A shot for Donovan was blocked in the 56th minute of play. Donovan had a corner for Leonardo in the 58th minute miss wide left. Hedges denied a big opportunity for Gordon in the 59th minute inside the box.
5. Matt Hedges: Alan Gordon’s nemesis
With the scores level, the action began to open up. Gordon was once again foiled by Hedges in the 62nd minute of play. Michel’s next set piece in the 64th minute was headed away by Juninho. Donovan’s next corner was punched away by Seitz one minute later.
The Galaxy were building up possession midway through the second half but FC Dallas’s defense held firm. Gordon had a big opportunity sail across the face of goal in the 69th minute and it was Hedges that denied Gordon yet again. Zardes had a header collected by Seitz in the 73rd minute, keeping the scores level. Castillo has a chance in the 75th minute also sail across the face of goal.
6. Fabian Castillo completes the comeback
As with the last meeting, this was going to go straight down to the wire. FC Dallas continued to be organized in the back, with Adam Moffat winning a corner in the 80th minute. Seconds later, Je-Vaughn Watson came in for Akindele, fresh off international duty for Jamaica. Meanwhile, Kenney Walker came in for Baggio Husidic came in at minute 84 of the match.
FC Dallas took the lead thanks to Fabian Castillo in the 88th minute off play off the initial save from Jaime Penedo. It was a very poor save from Penedo because it ricocheted right into Castillo’s wheelhouse. The goal made it 2-1 Dallas.
Jose VIllareal came in for Ishizaki after a knock. Moises Hernandez was sent off in the 90th minute for a harsh challenge on Villareal. Ryan Hollingshead came in for Escobar in the first minute of stoppage time and didn’t play an important part in the contest, whose outcome was already done and dusted. The lack of a certain Irishman also played a key role in determining the outcome of this contest.
Team Statistics
FC Dallas on left, Los Angeles Galaxy tonright
| 10 | Shots | 11 |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 5 |
| 4 | Shots off Target | 3 |
| 3 | Blocked Shots | 3 |
| 8 | Corners | 3 |
| 25 | Crosses | 16 |
| 5 | Offsides | 2 |
| 13 | Fouls | 13 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 1 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 319 | Total Passes | 403 |
| 75 % | Passing Accuracy | 74 % |
| 45.5 % | Possession | 54.5 % |
| 59 | Duels Won | 60 |
| 9 | Tackles Won | 19 |
| 3 | Saves | 1 |
| 29 | Clearances | 41 |
FC Dallas Player Ratings
Chris Seitz 6, Matt Hedges 8, Moises Hernandez 1, Walker Zimmerman 6, Zach Loyd 6, Andres Escobar 8, Fabian Castillo 10, Michel 5, Victor Ulloa 6, David Texeira 9, Tesho Akindele 7, Adam Moffat 4, Je-Vaughn Watson 2, Ryan Hollinghead NR
Los Angeles Galaxy Player Ratings
Jaime Penedo 1, A.J. DeLaGarza 4.5, James Riley 4, Leonardo 5, Omar Gonzalez 5, Baggio Husidic 4, Juninho 4, Landon Donovan 5, Stefan Ishizaki 6, Alan Gordon 4, Gyasi Zardes 3, Dan Gargan 4, Kenney Walker NR, Jose Villareal NR