Brek Shea’s Return and Dirk Nowitzki in the Stands not Enough for FC Dallas

Frisco, TX – FC Dallas came into their match against Western Conference foe Chivas USA in danger of setting a new record for their all-time longest winless streak.  Since their last win on April 14 against Montreal Impact, Dallas is winless in eleven matches and has lost their last five in a row in all competitions.  But with a local Dallas icon in the house to scarf the Lamar Hunt statue and with Brek Shea in the lineup for the first time since May 12 against Columbus Crew, FC Dallas looked to have all the ingredients necessary to cook up a win in the 92 degree heat (at 8pm kickoff).  Unfortunately, the result was less than palatable yet again.

The game almost got off to a dream start for the Toros in the third minute as Brek Shea collected a Daniel Hernandez pass about thirty-five yards from the Chivas goal, dribbled ten yards closer and unleashed a rocket that just missed the upper left-hand corner of the frame and caromed off of the net support behind it.  Minutes later, it was even closer to turning into a nightmare. Newly acquired Chivas striker Juan Agudelo boomed a shot from just inside the penalty area on the left side of the field.  The ball went straight at FCD keeper Kevin Hartman, but Agudelo struck it hard enough that he was unable to catch the ball and it bounced off to the right side of goal.  Chivas forward Alejandro Moreno was in perfect position to tap home the rebound, but he beefed his shot and sent it wide from five yards away.

After the fortuitous miss by Moreno, the home side controlled the run of play.  Fabian Castillo in particular had his best half playing for FC Dallas.  The young forward consistently made dangerous runs with the ball on the left side, but instead of meekly giving the ball away when challenging defenders (as has been his modus operandi in the past), he deftly sent sharp crosses and passes into the box that, with a little bit better finishing, would have produced two or three goals.

The second half was close to devoid of action, at least in Dallas’ end of the field.  Chivas USA coach Robin Fraser seemed to settle for the draw early by subbing midfielders for forwards in the 59′ and 63′ minutes.  FCD gaffer Schellas Hyndman tried to counter by pushing more players forward and then bringing on forward Andrew Wiedeman for midfielder Daniel Henrnandez, but Dallas created few chances from the run of play.  Brek Shea did get his head on two Jackson corners, but both went straight at Goats keeper Dan Kennedy.  Castillo probably should have earned a penalty in stoppage time when Chivas defender Danny Califf impeded his progress in the box, however referee Fotis Bazakos declined to make the call (or bought Califf’s blatant flop) and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

The match was Football Club Dallas’ first home Major League Soccer match in over a month (they did play their lone US Open Cup match at home) and a solid crowd of 13,846 welcomed their team back.  NBA MVP, Finals MVP and World Champion Dirk Nowitzki scarfed the Lamar Hunt statue before the match for the first time.  The draw pushes FC Dallas’ winless streak to twelve in all competitions.  Their next shot at a revolutionary win will be against Canadian Champions Toronto FC on July 4th.

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Well after the match ended, Dirk Nowitzki and his entourage took the field at FC Dallas Stadium for a little pick-up soccer. Dirk’s field play left a bit to be desired (those watching held their collective breath when he tumbled to the turf after a botched volley attempt), but he channeled German National Team keeper Manuel Neuer when he stepped between the pipes.    At one point, he faced eleven shots and only allowed one goal with six of those being legitimate saves.