FC Dallas, Rapids draw clean sheets

Although important points were on the line for both teams, the match got off to a cautious start from both teams.

FCD boss Colin Clarke rested goalkeeper Scott Garlick as new signing Dario Sala got the starting nod in goal -- making him the first international 'keeper in FCD history. Another notable absence was Ronnie O'Brien, who also got a rest as Clarke looked toward having his team ready for the playoffs.

Sala showed a taste for the flamboyant as he was quick off his line from the outset and at one point brought the ball down off his chest and cleared it from nearly the center circle.

The Hoops rolled out a 4-5-1 formation with Abe Thompson as the targetman up top, the crowded midfield stifling the creativity of Alain Nkong and Terry Cooke, making chances hard to come by for the Rapids.

FC Dallas center back Clarence Goodson had one of the few good chances of the first half in the 18th minute as he dove head first to smack a cross, but it went wide left.

Thompson displayed his skill with his back to goal in the 27th minute as he played an unselfish ball across the top of the goal area to Bobby Rhine, but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.

Colorado made a late surge to end the half as Cooke found Jeff Cunningham on the back post with a curling cross and the Rapids leading scorer got onto the end of it, forcing a diving save from Sala.

The second half saw more cautious play, although the Rapids began pushing more numbers forward late in the match.

Nkong had a chance in the 61st minute as he found himself wide open in the middle of the area, but he laid the ball off instead of trying his luck at goal and the play broke down.

Young Rapids 'keeper Byron Foss had a scare in the 75th minute as he tussled over the ball with Thompson. The FC Dallas striker couldn't gain control and Foss managed to clear it -- only to have Rhine take a shot which Foss got a hand on to deflect wide.

The last real promising chance of the match came in the 79th minute as Rhine played a sweet one-two with Chris Gbandi on the left side of the box, but Gbandi couldn't get a good shot on it and sent the ball over the crossbar.

The result left FC Dallas two points ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy, still in second place in the Western Conference. Just a draw in their final match, next Saturday against the Kansas City Wizards in Frisco, will give the Hoops home-field advantage in the conference semifinals, when they likely will take on those same Galaxy.

The Rapids all but ensured they will finish fourth in the Western Conference and take on the San Jose Earthquakes in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. They can only finish third if they defeat Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and the Galaxy lose to San Jose on Saturday.

MLSnet.com Man of the Match: Byron Foss (Colorado Rapids)

Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.