FC Dallas 1 - 1 Chivas USA
Final
  for this game

FC Dallas settles for draw against Chivas USA

Oct 8, 2012 - 1:21 AM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - FC Dallas wasted an opportunity to put pressure on Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference on Sunday, playing to a 1-1 draw against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center.

Dallas entered the match five points behind Vancouver for the final postseason berth in the West and had a chance to trim the deficit to two points, but were lucky an eighth-minute goal from Blas Perez was enough for a point.

Jorge Villafana scored in the 69th minute for Chivas, which dominated the late stages. Chivas had lost its last seven matches and remains winless in 12 since the calendar turned to August.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was huge for Dallas (9-12-11), making seven saves - a few crucial ones in the closing minutes - to secure his side a point.

Dallas seemed poised to extend its recent run of good form that included four wins and three draws in its last eight games when Perez tapped home a rebound off a shot from David Ferreira in the eighth minute.

Chivas (7-17-8) last won on July 28 at the Portland Timbers, but played better than Dallas the rest the way.

Miller Bolanos had a header cleared off the line by the Dallas defense in the 17th minute, and Juan Pablo Angel was denied twice by Hartman early after half on a pair of great scoring chances.

Villafana found the breakthrough for Chivas 21 minutes from time as he slotted home a ball that was crossed in from Bolanos and went just off the fingertips of a diving Hartman for an easy finish into an empty net.

Dallas was in desperate need of three points with just two matches remaining, but Chivas was the side that nearly grabbed full points as Hartman denied Juan Agudelo in the 89th and Villafana deep in extra time on two good Chivas shots.

FCD visits Seattle Sounders FC on Oct. 21 after the international break in its next MLS match, and hosts Chivas in its final regular-season game Oct. 28. The Goats host the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 20 in their next match.






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