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Union-FC Dallas Preview

Aug 7, 2010 - 7:16 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Philadelphia (4-9-3) at FC Dallas (6-2-9), 6:00 p.m. EDT

In its first game against the expansion Philadelphia Union, FC Dallas settled for a draw after allowing a goal deep into stoppage time.

Since then - and especially lately - Dallas has been very stingy on defense.

Dallas looks to continue its strong defensive play and extend its unbeaten streak to nine games when it hosts the Union on Sunday.

Leading 1-0 heading into stoppage time in Philadelphia on May 15, it appeared Dallas (6-2-9) would win its third straight game. The Union kept the pressure on, though, and rookie Danny Mwanga scored an unassisted goal in the 94th minute just before time expired.

While it was a devastating way to lose two points, it also may have served as a wakeup call. Since then, Dallas has yielded six goals in nine games with only two coming after halftime and none after the 61st minute.

"We have been focused, we've been playing as a team and that has carried over into our next game," forward Atiba Harris said after last Saturday's 1-all draw in Colorado.

Philadelphia (4-9-3) hasn't been as sound defensively recently.

The Union, 1-2-2 since July 3, lost to Columbus 2-1 on Thursday, as the Crew's Steven Lenhart scored his second goal of the game in the 51st minute. Four of the last five goals Philadelphia has allowed have come in the second half with three coming after 70 minutes.

"We need to be sharper in defense as a unit," midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi told the Union's official website. "We have been dominating games and then allowing limited chances to the other team and it seems that however many they get they put in."

Sebastien Le Toux provided Philadelphia's only offense against Columbus, scoring on a penalty kick in the third minute of first-half stoppage time. Le Toux leads the team with nine goals, and has scored in three straight games.

Dallas managed to keep its unbeaten streak intact last weekend, despite failing to score. Rapids defender Julien Baudet put the ball into his own net in the 22nd minute.

Dallas, 4-0-4 since a losing to Los Angeles on May 20, has been its best at home, outscoring its opponents 5-0 in winning its last three at Pizza Hut Park.

Philadelphia has been outscored 5-2 in going 0-2-1 in its last three road games.

Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman is expected to start in this match after resting in Thursday's 2-all tie against defending UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan.

Hartman has allowed one goal or fewer in each of his last 12 games, while posting five shutouts. He made a season-high six saves against the Union in May.