It wasn’t pretty, but it was three points and that’s all that mattered for FC Dallas as they attempt to avoid the MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round.
Behind a Blas Perez penalty kick, his 11th goal of the season, the visitors coasted to a 1-0 victory against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. With the win, Dallas jumped Real Salt Lake to move into third in the Western Conference. Colorado are now winless in 13 games.
Scoring opportunities were scarce in the first half, the only real chance coming in the 34th minute when the Rapids’ Vincente Sanchez’s penalty shout following a tackle by Zach Loyd was waved off by referee Hilario Grejeda.
The lone goal came in the 55th minute when Colorado’s Chris Klute handled in the penalty area, and Grejeda immediately pointed to the spot. Perez stutter stepped to send Clint Irwin the wrong way, scoring to the goalkeeper’s right.
The Rapids went down to 10 men in the 78th minute when central defender Jared Watts received his second yellow of the match for a foul on Andres Escobar.
Now in third place, FC Dallas can clinch the position if either RSL fails to defeat Chivas USA on Wednesday night or if FC Dallas defeats Portland Timbers FC next Saturday night at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
FC Dallas finish the regular season against the Portland Timbers at home on Oct. 25, while Colorado conclude their season in Vancouver against the Whitecaps on the same day.
