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US: MLS Preview- FC Dallas v Real Salt Lake [Sun Sep 18th, 2005]
FC Dallas (10-9-6, 36 pts) v Real Salt Lake (5-16-4, 19 pts)
When: 2:00pm EST, Sunday, September 18th, 2005
Where: Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, Texas
After advancing to the US Open Cup final with a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire, their first ever at Pizza Hut Park, things went from good to bad pretty quickly.
As it turns out, Eddie Johnson has re-aggravated the stress fracture in his foot, and is out for an additional four to six weeks. While EJ is still the team’s third leading scorer on the season, behind Carlos Ruiz and Ronnie O’Brien, the morale of this club is at an all-time low. The Hoops have not won an MLS match since June, and have only drawn three matches in that time!
On the flip side, Real Salt Lake is the only club in the league in a similar position. After announcing that leading scorer Jason Kreis is done for the year with an ACL tear, the team are without the only player that they have been able to depend on for scoring.
But adding to their woes is the fact that forward Clint Mathis did not make the trip. The former US international is beset with what have been described as personal problems, and it is unclear what his future holds at Real. Instead, RSL will have to look to USL transfer Melvin Tarley to adapt quickly and seize a golden opportunity to remain in the club's long-term plans.
As bad as both of these teams have been, one of these teams should get their first win in five matches (longer if you’re Dallas).
Offensively, Salt Lake are in greater need of someone to step up, and playing on the road won’t make it easier. Ruiz has as many goals (11) as RSL’s next five leasing scorers combined behind Kreis.
The Hoops have the weapons, and if it’s going to take baby steps for them to get back on track, a home game against Real without Jason Kreis or Clint Mathis is a good way to start.
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