SANDY, Utah --FC Dallas needed three points to grab the Supporter’s Shield by the horns. They did just that.
Dallas got a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake courtesy of forward David Texeira. Although Texeira provided the scoring shot, it was the brilliant vision and pinpoint pass of Mauro Diaz that was responsible for the goal.
In the 57th minute of the match, Diaz slipped a penetrating pass to the top of the 18, 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 to not only draw, but also win the match. Unfortunately, they didn’t have that finishing touch.
In the 36th minute of play, Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martinez found himself on the end of a lucky deflection and was all alone in the box. He blasted a shot towards goal at point-blank range, but Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez made a massive save to preserve the score line.
Four minutes later, Kyle Beckerman had his shot.
RSL had a free kick awarded deep in Dallas territory. Javier Morales sent a pinpoint cross to the back post where Beckerman was patiently waiting, wide open. The 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 Attinella pulled 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 back at home against the San Jose Earthquakes.
RSL, meanwhile, will head to Seattle for their final match of the year against the Sounders.
