SANDY, Utah – FC Dallas clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and grabbed the lead in the race for the Supporter’s Shield with a 1-0 road win over Real Salt Lake courtesy of another goal by forward David Texeira.
The result also doomed RSL to postseason elimination, breaking a string of seven straight playoff appearances.
Texeira may have scored his third goal in his last four starts, but it was the brilliant vision and pinpoint pass of playmaker Mauro Diaz that made it happen.
In the 57th minute of the match, Diaz slipped a penetrating pass to the top of the 18-yard box, guiding Texeira to the goal like an airport worker on the tarmac with lit batons. Texeira was able to finish the chance, slamming the ball past Real Salt Lake 'keeper Jeff Attinella and giving Dallas the 1-0 lead.
RSL had their fair share of chances, but they didn’t have that finishing touch on the night.
The home team could have taken the lead in the 36th minute when Juan Manuel "El Burrito" Martinez found himself all alone in the box after a lucky deflection. He blasted a shot toward goal at point-blank range, but FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez made a massive save to preserve the 0-0 score line.
Kyle Beckerman, who became the all-time leader in MLS appearances by a field player with his start on Saturday, had a look of his own four minutes later. RSL playmaker Javier Morales sent a pinpoint cross to the back post where Beckerman was patiently waiting. But the wide open RSL captain couldn’t keep his header down, and the attempt went sailing over the goal.
RSL had a few chances in the second half, but were unable to trouble Gonzalez much more than they did in the first. One final flurry in stoppage time saw even Attinella pushed up in attack, but Dallas’ defense held strong. The final whistle blew and any flickering hope of a post-season appearance for RSL was snuffed out.
Dallas now sit firmly in the driver’s seat of the Supporter’s Shield race, currently three points ahead of the New York Red Bulls with just one game to play. They will play their final match of the season on #DecisionDay back at home against the San Jose Earthquakes.
RSL, meanwhile, will head to Seattle for their final match of the year against the Sounders.
