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Galindo's late goal helps Chivas tie Dallas

Mar 30, 2008 - 10:59 PM FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) -- Maykel Galindo's late goal helped Chivas USA pull out a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas on Sunday in the season opener for both teams.

Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala made seven saves before allowing Galindo to score an unassisted tally in the 84th minute.

Galindo, a substitute who entered the game 10 minutes into the second half, trapped a clearing pass just inside the 18-yard box and blasted home the equalizer.

The shot took Sala completely by surprise, but capped a second half that was completely dominated by the visitors. Chivas outshot FC Dallas, 22-8, in the match and got off 18 shots in the second half alone.

"I'm not saying that finishing is easy because I had to really get a good shot on it," Galindo said. "I got a hard shot on it and, thankfully, it banged off a foot and went in. I think things went well for us.

"Our mentality was really important because we were playing away from home. It was our first game of the season and from the very first moment, we went out looking to win the game."

Chivas coach Preki said his team took advantage of the chances to play more up-tempo in the second half and create more offense. He switched from a 4-4-2 alignment at the beginning of the match to a 3-5-2 early in the second half to bring more of an attacking mode into the game.

Galindo's goal was the culmination of the patience and resiliency that Preki and Chivas demonstrated.

"Maykel is always a threat. He's a lively player who knows how to get behind people," Preki said. "If you give him a chance, he knows how to score. I'm glad he put that one into his net for his own confidence.

"We moved the ball well and created a lot of opportunities. We switched our formation in the second half that gave us an extra body in the middle and that allowed us to move the ball better. Finally, we scored a goal that we felt we deserved a long time ago."

Juan Toja gave FC Dallas a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute. After pouncing on a loose clearance in the box, Toja made a turnaround right-footed shot from eight yards to the right side past Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Chivas' Ante Razov almost tied the game nine minutes later but fired high from 12 yards in front.

In the 35th minute, Toja delivered a cross pass from the left side, where teammate Abe Thompson attempted a right-footed volley, but his shot also sailed high.

Chivas had more opportunities to pull level early in the second half when Sacha Kljestan came up empty on two attempts - one that ricocheted off the left post from 14 yards out and another that Sala saved from just inside the box.

FC Dallas coach Steve Morrow admitted he was disappointed in having to surrender two of the three points he thought his team had in the bag, but vowed that his side would be back in form quickly.

"I think a tie was probably a fair result in the overall look of the game, but we should have had three points," Morrow said. "Giving up a goal so late was very disappointing, but overall Chivas played very well. Overall, I think we can play better.

"We didn't possess the ball well in the first half and chased it around too much. That took a lot out of our legs going into the second half. We'll just be happy with the point, though, and move on to the next one and continue to improve."

Morrow presented the captain's armband to newcomer Duilio Davino, who responded well in his first official MLS match. The recent acquisition from Mexico's Club America played the full 90 minutes and defended well until Galindo's goal.

"I know that's how the defensive position is. Sometimes one error can cost you the game," Davino said. "I felt better than I even thought I would after missing quite a few days from training. Taking away the error from the goal, I think that I did well and that my level will continue improving."

Guzan made four saves for Chivas, who never have come from behind to win after surrendering the first goal.