Late Dallas Goal Beats Chivas

Another late-game leakage cost Chivas USA a goal.

And it cost Chivas another match.

FC Dallas forward Abe Thompson’s 81st-minute score was the game-winner in the 2-1 Dallas victory before an announced 8,672 at the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night.

Chivas, whose lone victory came on May 7, fell to 1-11-3 and the expansion club has given up a Major League Soccer-high 35 goals in its first season. Chivas was playing without injured forward Isaac Romo (hamstring) and defender Alfonso Loera (groin).

First-place Dallas, meanwhile, improved to 9-2-3 and has scored a Western Conference-high 25 goals. It has given up a conference-low 13.

Dallas won without its potent strike force of forwards Carlos Ruiz (ankle) and Eddie Johnson (toe). Midfielder Richard Mulrooney (knee) was out as well.

Dallas outshot Chivas, 20-11, overall, and 7-5 in shots on goal. But while Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan had five saves, the two shots that got by the rookie proved crucial.

Roberto Mina got Dallas on the board first when the forward scored in the 18th minute, on assists by midfielder Oscar Pareja and forward Bobby Rhine. It was Mina’s third goal of the season.

So dominant was Dallas in the first half, it outshot Chivas, 10-3.

But a different Chivas emerged after halftime.

Matt Taylor’s first goal of the year, in the 48th minute, came off assists from midfielder Hector Cuadros and forward Thiago Martins and drew Chivas even, 1-1.

Chivas, which is 0-3-2 since Coach Thomas Rongen was reassigned (he was later replaced by Hans Westerhof), seemed to have momentum on its side.

Then came the late-game fall and Thompson’s goal, on assists by defender David Wagenfuhr and midfielder Arturo Alvarez.

Chivas, mired in last place, has lost three times to Dallas by a combined 10-4.

At least Chivas has the opportunity to salvage some pride in the U.S. Open Cup when it begins play July 13 at the winner of the second-round match between the El Paso Patriots and the Charlotte Eagles. The Patriots, of the Premier Development League, and Eagles, of the United Soccer League’s second division, meet Wednesday in El Paso.

Gutierrez reported from Los Angeles.