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Cooper scores twice as FC Dallas blanks Galaxy

Jul 28, 2008 - 2:58 AM By Ken Costlow PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

FRISCO, Texas (Ticker) -- After going winless in MLS play since mid-June, FC Dallas finally decided enough was enough.

Kenny Cooper scored twice in the first 17 minutes, Dominic Oduro scored his fifth goal of the season and Abe Thompson came off the bench to add another tally as FC Dallas blasted the Los Angeles Galaxy, 4-0, Sunday at Pizza Hut Park.

A smothering defensive effort kept the Galaxy - the top-scoring team in MLS - to just two shots on goal, both of which goalkeeper Dario Sala turned away to hand the Galaxy just their third blank sheet of the season.

The victory by FC Dallas (5-6-7), in addition to giving new coach Schellas Hyndman his first MLS win, avenged a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the Galaxy (6-7-5) on May 18, a result that cost his predecessor - Steve Morrow - his job.

"Our players played extremely hard within our 4-4-2 structure," Hyndman said. "They were very focused. The last time they played Los Angeles here was an embarrassment and there were a lot of fans that questioned what FC Dallas was all about.

"It's very seldom that you get a chance to go back and redeem yourself, but I thought the players did a fantastic job of coming back and playing for their pride."

Cooper's first goal came in the 15th minute when he sent a left-footed blast past Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin and into the right corner of the goal from 22 yards to the left of the arc.

Two minutes later, Cooper added his second goal, taking a short set-up from Oduro and ripping a right-footed shot just inside the left post to make it 2-0.

It was Cooper's 11th goal of the season, moving him into a tie for second place with the Galaxy's Edson Buddle among the league leaders, one behind Los Angeles' Landon Donovan.

"Obviously, coming into the game, we were well aware of the last result," Cooper said. "It feels so good to walk away with a win. We did the things that Coach has been asking of us, things that have made a huge impact on us on a daily basis. It (showed) in the result today."

In the 36th minute, Oduro took a midfield pass from Arturo Alvarez, dribbled down the right flank, maneuvered past Cronin and drilled a shot from outside the right post into the left corner of the goal to give FC Dallas a 3-0 advantage.

"Dominic Oduro has so much speed, he can make runs like that against any team," Cooper said. "He scored an incredible goal and had a beautiful assist to me. I'm really happy to see Dom doing so well this year. He's really making a huge impact on this team right now."

It was the first time since May 20, 2006, against the New England Revolution that FC Dallas had recorded three goals in the first half.

For good measure, Thompson capped the scoring in the 89th minute with a right-footed kick that snuck just under the right crossbar past Cronin, who posted seven saves in the contest.

The game was played in oppressive heat, with the game-time temperature showing 102 degrees, very much like the teams' first meeting.



"This felt like deja vu, only just the opposite from the last time we were here," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. "The last time, we got off to a 3-0 lead in the heat and it was hard for (FC Dallas) to come back. Today, they got off quickly in the heat and we couldn't do the things we wanted to do."