FRISCO, Texas – Jeff Cunningham scored his 129th career goal as FC Dallas extended their unbeaten streak to 13 straight with a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC in a chippy, tightly contested match at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night.
The veteran made the most of his first start since June 5, burying a long-ball from Marvin Chavez in the opening minutes of the second half for his third goal in his last five games. With that tally, Cunningham is now just three goals behind Jaime Moreno for the all-time scoring lead in Major League Soccer history.
For most of the first half, scoring chances were hard to come by. Toronto’s best chance came five minutes in, when defender Ty Harden’s header was pushed over the crossbar by Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
FCD managed just one shot on frame in the first half, when a long-range effort by Jackson Gonçalves in the 24th minute was saved by TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
But two minutes into the second half, Dallas struck. With the TFC defenders playing way too high, David Ferreira played a long ball to a streaking Chávez, who spotted Cunningham wide open on the left flank.
The former Toronto striker buried his right-footed shot in the right corner of the net for his eighth goal of the year. It was also Chávez’s first career assist.
TFC looked to answer back, and had two solid scoring chances by O'Brian White thwarted. In the 63rd minute, White headed just over the goal on a nice run and cross by Maksim Usanov up the right flank.
In the 75th, the Toronto striker again found himself with some room inside the FCD area. With Hartman off his line and the home net open, White took a shot only to see his effort quelled at the last possible moment by Jackson, who executed a great goalmouth block.
Hartman made another great play in the 82nd minute when he got a hand on a header by TFC’s Jacob Peterson.
With the win, still-streaking FC Dallas keep pace in the tight Western Conference. Schellas Hyndman’s squad travels to San Jose next Saturday. Toronto haven’t tasted victory in MLS play in four straight matches, their last win on Aug. 7.
The Reds stay on the road to face Chicago on Wednesday, where they will welcome back Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman and Nana Attakora, who missed Saturday’s match while on international duty with Canada.
Preki’s squad will be missing Martin Saric, however, who will be suspended after getting sent off for a second yellow card in the 89th minute Saturday.
Scoring Summary:
DAL -- Jeff Cunningham 8 (Marvin Chavez 1, David Ferreira 9) 47
Misconduct Summary:
TOR -- Martin Saric (caution; Tactical Foul) 15
TOR -- Nick LaBrocca (caution; Dissent) 46+
TOR -- Martin Saric (caution; Reckless Foul) 89
TOR -- Martin Saric (ejection; Second Caution) 89
DAL -- Jair Benitez (caution; Reckless Foul) 91+
Lineups:
Toronto FC -- Stefan Frei, Dan Gargan, Adrian Cann, Ty Harden, Nick Garcia, Maksim Usanov, Nick LaBrocca, Joseph Nane (Jacob Peterson 58), Martin Saric, Mista, O'Brian White.
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Heath Pearce, George John (Bruno Guarda 54), Zach Loyd, Jair Benitez, Marvin Chavez (Eric Avila 69), Eric Alexander, Jackson Goncalves, Brek Shea, Jeff Cunningham (Ruben Luna 82), David Ferreira.
Referee: Alex Prus
Referee's Assistants: Adam Wienckowski; James Conlee
4th Official: Jasen Anno
Attendance: 10,033
