Posted on February 2, 2012
CANCUN, Mexico — FC Dallas defeated Playa Del Carmen, 1-0, on a stoppage-time goal by rookie center back Matt Hedges on Thursday.
The goal came via corner kick after forward Scott Sealy earned the chance Dallas. Bryan Leyva, Dallas’ first Homegrown player, served the ball into the area, connecting with Hedges for the game-winner.
“I thought tonight’s game was a just result,” Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. “We decided to give some of our newer players a chance to play since we have three games in a very short period of time. I couldn’t be any happier for our goalkeepers, in particular Richard Sanchez, who played the second half and did very well. And also Matt Hedges for scoring his first goal in an FC Dallas uniform.”
Playa Del Carmen held an advantage in possession early on, but was unable to break down an organized back line. The Mexican Second Division side had its first chance come via free kick from the right side in the 32nd minute. A lofted ball to the back post nearly found Enrique Campuzano, but Dallas’ Ruben Luna tracked back from his forward position to force Campuzano’s header wide of the right post.
Dallas was lucky not to give up another goal just two minutes later as Playa Del Carmen cracked the left post and crossbar behind goalkeeper Chris Seitz in a matter of seconds.
The Major League Soccer’s team best chance of the half came in the 36th minute when a corner kick taken by Nicolas Gianni found Bobby Warshaw at the top of the area. Warshaw rose above his marker to hit a line-drive shot on goal, but the attempt was directly at goalkeeper Victor Lopez.
Dallas opened the second half on the attack, earning a corner kick in the 51st minute. A lofted ball to far corner of the six-yard box was won by Hedges, whose shot went directly to Lopez.
Scott Gordon got forward on the right flank to knock a lateral pass to Bruno Guarda at the penalty spot in the 54th minute. The Brazilian made a good run to the ball, but once again the shot was hit directly at Lopez and the game remained scoreless.
Playa Del Carmen countered, gaining several free kick attempts near the 70th minute. Dallas goalkeeper Richard Sanchez stood tall. The Homegrown player came off his line on multiple occasions to punch away crosses and relieve the pressure.
Nearing full time FC Dallas pressed in search of a game-winning goal. Sealy started the rush, corralling a pass at the top of the area before being tackled to the ground to earn a free kick. The shot attempt taken by trialist Rodolofo Espinoza was partially blocked by the wall, but Jonathan Top hustled to the ball and got off a second attempt on goal that was knocked down and eventually covered by Lopez.
Moises Hernandez made a late run down the left flank that produced a scoring chance for Leyva on the opposite side of the field, but his low shot went just wide of the far post. The chance came seconds before Leyva connected with Hedges for the game-winner.
Photo: Goalkeeper Richard Sanchez kept the ball out of the net for FC Dallas. Photo courtesy of FC Dallas.
Categories: Mexico, North America, U.S.A.
Tags: Chris Seitz, FC Dallas, Major League Soccer, Matt Hedges, Playa Del Carmen, Richard Sanchez, Ruben Luna, Schellas Hyndman
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