Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Red Cross |
Match Report
A few clouds cover the sky here at Toyota Stadium where FC Dallas play host to Chicago Fire. A crowd of 16,649 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in poor condition.
FC Dallas are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Chicago Fire appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Eduardo Carter.
The pitch is in poor condition.
FC Dallas are playing in a 4-2-4 formation while Chicago Fire appear to be shaped for 4-4-2.
Today's match is refereed by Eduardo Carter.
0.00
0-0Chicago Fire kick off the first half!
4.27
0-0José Riquelme flicks a high pass forward. Santiago Espinoza holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. With imagination, Santiago Espinoza laces a weighted ball forward to Francisco Navarrete. Francisco Navarrete lofts in a cross ball towards Servando Powell. Servando Powell connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal but Cheyne Yates is on top of his game. Great keeping!
6.21
Santiago Espinoza decides to run forward with the ball. Santiago Espinoza finds some space and shoots from distance. Magnificent save by Cheyne Yates!
8.31
Luciano Blanco makes a simple pass to Luís Mendoza. Luís Mendoza knocks in a cross ball towards Jamie Watson. With a superhuman jump, Jamie Watson connects with the ball and heads it goalwards but is denied by Yasmani Gutiérrez. Excellent save.
14.13
Carlos Eduardo Pereira kicks a strong pass forward to Santiago Espinoza. Santiago Espinoza decides to run forward with the ball. Santiago Espinoza plays a quick one-two with Jose Luis Macias and rushes in on goal... Some silky footwork from Santiago Espinoza provides some space. He stabs the ball goalward but Cheyne Yates is on top of it.
16.14
Santiago Espinoza makes an attacking run forward. Santiago Espinoza knocks in a cross ball towards Jose Luis Macias. With a superhuman jump, Jose Luis Macias connects with the ball and heads it goalwards. Magnificent save by Cheyne Yates!
18.46
0-0Luciano Blanco darts forward. Luciano Blanco knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Luís Taffarel.
24.08
Jaime Bejarano deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Luciano Blanco. Luciano Blanco threads a neat ball through to Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Glenn Nelson.
33.01
0-0Carlos Koufatty flicks the ball to his team mate, Luciano Blanco. Luciano Blanco flicks a high pass forward. Jamie Watson collects the pass. Jamie Watson deftly passes the ball to Luís Mendoza, releasing him through on goal. Some good footwork from Luís Mendoza provides some space. He shoots at goal but it slams into the crowd!
36.08
Daniel Blanco makes a probing pass to Francisco Navarrete. Francisco Navarrete whips in a cross ball towards Mario Sanders. Mario Sanders heads the ball goalwards but it flies well off target!
38.21
Jaime Bejarano passes the ball forward to Luciano Blanco. Luciano Blanco controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Jamie Watson. Jamie Watson lofts in a cross ball towards Luís Mendoza. Luís Mendoza directs the ball goalwards with his head. Yasmani Gutiérrez punches it away to safety.
40.33
Casey Alston makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Luís Mendoza. Luís Mendoza knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
45.00
The whistle indicates the end of the first half!
Both teams emerge for the second half. FC Dallas appear unchanged since the first half. Chicago Fire also appear unchanged since the first half. The FC Dallas players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
The second half starts with FC Dallas kicking off!
48.19
Glenn Nelson makes a probing pass to Santiago Espinoza. Santiago Espinoza takes it forward alone. Santiago Espinoza shoots from outside the area. Cheyne Yates gathers the ball up comfortably. He makes it look easy!
49.57
Luís Taffarel chips the ball to his team mate, Santiago Espinoza. Santiago Espinoza flicks the ball to his team mate, Francisco Navarrete. Francisco Navarrete shoots from 20 yards but it rises well off target!
51.30
1-0With some swift thinking, José Riquelme plays the ball forward to Santiago Espinoza. Santiago Espinoza darts forward. Santiago Espinoza knocks in a cross ball towards Jose Luis Macias. Jose Luis Macias makes a deft header. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
55.22
Jeremy Knighton surges forward with the ball. Jeremy Knighton knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Glenn Nelson.
57.07
1-0Santiago Espinoza hits a low pass to Francisco Navarrete. Francisco Navarrete makes a beautiful attacking pass to the feet of Mario Sanders. Carlos Koufatty clumsily knocks into Mario Sanders. Mario Sanders appeals for a penalty! No says the ref!!
60.28
1-0FC Dallas have made a substitution with Jaime Mena replacing Francisco Navarrete .Chicago Fire have made a substitution with Hernan Batistuta replacing Jamie Watson .
65.29
José Riquelme sees Santiago Espinoza in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Santiago Espinoza sees Jaime Mena in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Jaime Mena whips in a cross ball towards Mario Sanders. Mario Sanders heads the ball goalwards. Superb reactions from Cheyne Yates. What a save!
73.28
1-0Hernan Batistuta comes in with a late challenge on José Riquelme. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! José Riquelme grimaces as he struggles to run off the knock.
78.15
Luciano Blanco knocks the ball forward to Luís Mendoza. Luís Mendoza knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Luís Taffarel.
81.55
Santiago Espinoza makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Jose Luis Macias. Jose Luis Macias knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Daniel Bulos.
83.52
Luciano Blanco hits a low pass to Hernan Batistuta. Hernan Batistuta knocks in a cross ball which is cleared by the defence.
87.54
1-0Jaime Mena comes in with a late challenge on Carlos Koufatty. The referee calls over Jaime Mena and warns him to calm down! Carlos Koufatty runs off the knock.
87.54
1-0The play is deadlocked with neither team giving up possession lightly.
89.49
Mario Sanders clumsily knocks into Jaime Bejarano. Mario Sanders is warned by the referee! Jaime Bejarano hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
90.00
The referee blows for full-time
Match Statistics
Goals
1
0
Shots on Target
7
2
Shots off Target
2
1
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
2
1
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
47.3%
52.7%
Play Area
27%
43.2%
29.7%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Santiago Espinoza of FC Dallas |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Yasmani Gutiérrez (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Carlos Eduardo Pereira (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Glenn Nelson (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | José Riquelme (DEF) | 7 | |
| 5. | Luís Taffarel (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Daniel Blanco (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Santiago Espinoza (MID) | 9 | |
| 8. | Jose Luis Macias (ATT) |  | 7 |
| 9. | Servando Powell (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Francisco Navarrete (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Mario Sanders (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Lukas Figueroa (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Ezequiel Ibáñez (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Jaime Mena (ATT) | 6 | |
| 1. | Cheyne Yates (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Daniel Bulos (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Carlos Koufatty (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Jaime Bejarano (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Julián Peña (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Sixto Escobar (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Luciano Blanco (MID) | 7 | |
| 8. | Jeremy Knighton (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Casey Alston (MID) | 6 | |
| 10. | Jamie Watson (ATT) | 6 | |
| 11. | Luís Mendoza (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Julio Taricco (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | César Perozo (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Hernan Batistuta (ATT) |  | 5 |