FC Dallas (1-2-1) topped the Colorado Rapids (3-1-0), 3-0 at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco Saturday evening to avenge last season's 2-1 overtime loss in MLS Cup 2010. Defending MLS MVP David Ferreira led FC Dallas with two goals, but it was defender Ugo Ihemelu, returning to his center back position for the first time since MLS Cup 2010, who got the defending Western Conference Champions started in the 26th minute. FC Dallas held the upper hand in possession early in the match, gaining scoring opportunities from Andrew Jacobson, Ferreira and Fabian Castillo from the 20th minute to the 25th minute. A Colorado defender jumped in front of Jacobson's strike and Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens did well to punch away driven shots from Castillo and Ferreira before Ihemelu finally solved the puzzle. Following a corner kick from the right flag, Marvin Chavez banged heads with Sanna Nyassi to keep the ball in the area long-enough for Ihemelu to sneak in behind a Colorado defender and volley a shot high to the far post for a 1-0 lead. However, Chavez suffered a laceration to his head on the play and was forced to leave the match in favor of Eric Avila. FC Dallas continued to attack following Ihemelu's goal. A goal kick taken by Kevin Hartman was won in the midfield and sent out wide to the 18-year-old Castillo. Defending MLS MVP David Ferreira seized the opportunity to make a cutting run through the Rapids' backline, where Castillo knocked a perfectly timed through ball. One-on-one with Pickens, Ferreira chipped a shot over the sliding goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead. Following halftime, FC Dallas fans barely made it back to their seats before the home side scored just 25 seconds after the restart. On the play, Daniel Hernandez took the kickoff and knocked a long pass up the right flank to Avila. Avila contested a header with Rapids left back Anthony Wallace, knocking a loose ball back up the middle where it was claimed by Hernandez, 30-yards from goal. Reading the play well, Avila took off towards the near post where Hernandez hit him in stride with a through ball. Avila drew Pickens to the near post before driving a hard shot to the back post, where Ferreira slid to redirect his second goal of the night into the back of the net. The 2010 MLS Cup Champion Rapids never seemed to recover from the third goal, rarely getting a good look at veteran goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who picked up his record 94th MLS save after recording zero saves on five shots, none of which were on goal.
