The game in 100 words (or less): When they’ve got 11 players on the field, the prospect of facing FC Dallas is downright frightening. Oscar Pareja’s side, which entered the weekend with a three-point lead in the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield races, held serve and protected that margin thanks to a 3-1 home victory over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Not only did FCD make it four wins in five games, but they did so in spectacular fashion, scoring a pair of highlight reel goals in the first half. Maximiliano Urruti finished the Fabian Castillo’s ridiculous rabona cross, and Mauro Diaz hit a pinpoint bomb. Which goal was most spectacular? Take your pick. You can’t go wrong.
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Three moments that mattered
23′ — Urruti heads home Castillo’s rabona cross — Castillo is probably ready for Europe was ready for Europe years ago.
41′ — Diaz fires from distance for 2-0 — Diaz is a beautiful, magical unicorn (when he’s healthy).
56′ — Barrios has a wide open net, but can’t finish — There are spectacular misses, and there is what Michael Barrios did in the 56th minute. Oh, my.
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Man of the match: Fabian Castillo
Goalscorers: Urruti (23′), Diaz (41′), Alvarez (90+1′), Rosales (90+2′)
The game in 100 words (or less): While FCD were (hardly) busy taking care of business in Frisco, Tex., the Colorado Rapids found themselves (somewhat) occupied in securing a 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in Commerce City, Colo. Playing once again without Jermaine Jones (with the USMNT world-beater on the field, Pablo Mastroeni’s side played its way to the Supporters’ Shield lead; without him, they had won just two of their last seven games), the Rapids somehow managed to improve upon their league-best goals-conceded mark (now just 13 in 19 games). The victory keeps the Rapids (37 points) three points back of FCD, while Sporting KC (28 points) remain fifth in the West with the Vancouver Whitecaps, a point behind in sixth, taking on Orlando City SC. The Portland Timbers would also leapfrog Peter Vermes’s side with a victory over the Seattle Sounders on Sunday.
[ MORE: Previewing the rest of the MLS weekend ]
Three moments that mattered
65′ — Melia rushes out to deny Hairston — Tim Melia found himself sprinting off his line to close down Marlon Hairston’s path to goal in the 65th minute, saving the Rapids’ best chance of the night thus far.
78′ — Hairston curls one far post for 1-0 — Hairston’s second chance was much more difficult than his first, but it was the follow-up effort that found the back of the net.
90+2′ — Rubio hacked down in the box, no call — Sporting KC should have been awarded a penalty in the 92nd minute, but no whistle from referee Drew Fischer. Sometimes life be like that.
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Man of the match: Marlon Hairston
Goalscorers: Hairston (78′)
