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Oduro scores in 93rd minute, FC Dallas shuts out Real Salt Lake

Jun 15, 2007 - 5:07 AM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Real Salt Lake, winless more than two months into the season, appeared on its way to its third straight scoreless draw. Instead, things got even worse.

Forward Dominic Oduro broke a scoreless stalemate in the final minute of stoppage time as the FC Dallas posted a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Thursday night.

The win stunned a Rice-Eccles Stadium crowd both extending Dallas' lead in the Western Conference standings and keeping Salt Lake stuck in the basement in the process.

"We took some chances that was an issue at the end," said RSL defender Eddie Pope, who announced before the game that he will retire from MLS play following the 2007 season. "We didn't finish those opportunities, so then it becomes dangerous there at the end. Anything can happen."

Real, which dropped to 0-4-6 on the season, hasn't scored a goal since a 2-1 loss to Colorado on May 23, but the defense has been doing its part, holding Chicago and New England scoreless in the team's previous two games.

That trend held strong until the waning moments of Thursday's ballgame, as Oduro found a big opening just in front of the RSL net and buried his second goal of the season just inside the left goalpost.

"It was a great chance, I guess I just finished my work as a striker," Oduro said. "It was played forward from Dario (Sala) and got a nice flick from Marcelo (Saragosa). I think it was just the end product of some great teamwork. I give all the credit to my teammates."

Just minutes before Oduro's game-winner, it looked like Salt Lake had a chance to steal a victory, as midfielder Atiba Harris got a breakaway chance in the middle of the field. However, before he could get a shot off, he was shoved aside by Dallas defender Alex Yi.

"Yeah, he definitely fouled me," said Harris of the non-call. "I'm not going to just dive, because I could have gotten to the ball."

No foul was called, incensing RSL head coach Jason Kreis, who was quickly ejected for arguing with the officials.

After the game head referee Ricardo Salazar made a statement about Kreis's ejection.

"Jason Kreis was dismissed from the match for irresponsible behavior," Salazar said. "No cards were given, as cards are not shown to bench personnel. Suspensions are dealt with by the MLS league office."

The MLS office then followed with the statement that Kreis will not be allowed on the field for Real Salt Lake's next game vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday. He will be allowed to coach from a booth via radio, provided the Galaxy gives the team permission.

Though neither team could get on the scoreboard until the tail end of the game, Dallas was in attack mode all night, nearly scoring on several occasions but getting turned away repeatedly by RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who made 10 saves - including three from point-blank range - before giving up the game-winner.

"It's frustrating," Rimando said. "They had a lot of shots on goal and defensively we can't do that. The result speaks for itself."

Dallas forward Arturo Alvarez had five shots on goal by himself, but never converted.