It’s down to the final match of the MLS 2010 season as FC Dallas faces the Colorado Rapids to determine the Championship. The match will take place at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada on Sunday, November 21, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:30 EST (USA Eastern), 19:30 CST (Dallas time), and 18:30 MST (Colorado time).

FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids TV Listings

It will be televised on ESPN in the United States, TSN2 in Canada, ESPN in the United Kingdom, Setanta Sports in Ireland, and on Sky Sport in Italy.

FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids Preview

FC Dallas manager Schellas Hyndman

“I’ve been trying to keep them really relaxed with the same structure and patterns of things we’ve done in the past,” he said after Saturday’s training at BMO Field, the final session before the big game. “The exercises are the same. We’ve maybe only spent eight to 10 minutes out there working on Colorado’s strengths and their free kicks and corner kicks, but the rest of the time has just been work as normal.”

Keys To The Match

• The Midfield – As with most matches, the team who can control possession and the midfield usually will win the match. Both teams have skilled forwards but it the midfield is where the game will be won or lost.
• Finishing Chances – FCD were able to advance to the MLS Cup Final because they took advantage of the scoring chances against LA. Colorado did the same in their playoff run and that will be a major factor in this match. It’s not about how many chances each side gets but how many they can convert and put in the back of the net.
• Goalkeeping – Kevin Hartman was the MVP for FCD against LA and once again could be the difference. Colorado’s Matt Pickens hasn’t been as impresive this season but did have seven clean sheets and can’t be underestimated.

Players To Watch

• David Ferreira (FCD) – The MLS 2010 MVP will need to play well for FC Dallas to win the match. He doesn’t score a ton of goals (but can when needed) but is a great playmaker that usually sets up his teammates.
• Jeff Larentowicz (COL) – The Colorado midfielder will be very important to his team in Sunday’s match. He will play the more defensive position and can provide cover for fellow midfielder Pablo Mastroeni to get forward in the attack.
• Conor Casey (COL) – He’s often underrated and gone under the radar but has proven to be a clutch goalscorer. He had 13 goals this season and more than capable of scoring goals in a variety of ways.
• Brek Shea (FCD) – The winger has had a break-out season with Dallas and is always a threat on set pieces. With Ferreira likely to attract a lot of the defense’s attention, it’s a chance for Shea to perform on the biggest stage in MLS.

Top Scorers

FCD – Jeff Cunningham (11 goals), David Ferreira (13 assists)

COL – Omar Cummings (14 goals), Jamie Smith (8 assists)

Injuries

FCD – DF Edson Edward (osteitis pubis); DF Kyle Davies (L ankle sprain)

COL – MF Ciaran O’Brien (L hip sprain); FW Ross Schunk (R ACL tear)

FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids Prediction

FC Dallas wins 2-1

FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids Betting Odds

Dallas win – 23/10

Draw (after 90 minutes) – 11/5

Colorado win – 11/5

FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

Share and Enjoy

The Conference Finals are one match (unlike the two legged semifinals) with the winner advancing to the MLS Cup Final on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.

Below are the list of matches along with television listings.

MLS 2010 Conference Finals Schedule

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Colorado Rapids v San Jose Earthquakes  - 9:30 PM EST – Fox Soccer Channel

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Los Angeles Galaxy v FC Dallas – 9:00 PM EST – ESPN2

Share and Enjoy

MLS 2010 Playoff Conference Semifinals 2nd Leg Predictions

Thursday, November 4, 2010

New York Red Bulls v San Jose Earthquakes (1-0 after first leg) – NY wins 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Real Salt Lake v FC Dallas (1-2 after first leg) – RSL wins 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate)

Columbus Crew v Colorado Rapids (0-1 after first leg) – 1-1 Draw (Colorado advances 2-1 on aggregate)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Los Angeles Galaxy v Seattle Sounders FC (1-0 after first leg) – 1-1 Draw (2-1 on aggregate)

Share and Enjoy

MLS 2010 Playoff Conference Semifinals 1st Leg Predictions

Share and Enjoy

The Kansas City Wizards hosted FC Dallas in Major League Soccer on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

KC Wizards 1-3 FC Dallas Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

KC Wizards 1-3 FC Dallas Recap

FC Dallas defeated the Kansas City Wizards 3-1 to extend their MLS unbeaten streak to 18 matches. The last loss for Dallas was back in May against the Galaxy (0-1).

The visitors would capitalize some poor play from the home side early and score two goals in the first 12 minutes. Marvin Chavez scored in the 4th minute and Milton Rodriguez doubled the lead in the 12th minute. The score would remain 2-0 for Dallas by halftime.

In the second half, the Wizards had the better chances but failed to convert most of them. A 57th minute goal from Ryan Smith cut the lead in half but that’s as close as it would get. KC would struggle to find quality in the final third and eventually FC Dallas caught them on a counterattack.

Jeff Cunningham scored in the 82nd minute for FCD to make it 3-1 and clinch the three points.

Dallas has all but clinched a playoff spot and is in the race for the supporters shield. The Wizards are several points back of a playoff spot and likely need to win most or all of their final five matches.

KC Wizards 1-3 Dallas Match Stats

Goals

KC – Smith 57′, FCD – Chavez 4′, Rodriguez 12′, Cunningham 82′

Shots (on goal)

KC – 14 (7), FCD – 7 (4)

Saves

KC – 1, FCD – 6

Corner Kicks

KC – 7 , FCD – 2

Fouls

KC – 8 , FCD – 18

Offsides

KC – 5, FCD – 4

Share and Enjoy

Thierry Henry, a designated player for the New York Red Bulls, has been fined by MLS. The fine is $2,000 and was because of a play at the end of the first half against FC Dallas.

The play happened after a goal by the Red Bulls and Henry ran up to kick it in the net again. As he ran to do that, FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was there and had put his foot behind the ball. Henry then went to kick it as Hartman was there and then went down with an injury. The play was definitely reckless by Henry but it’s not clear there was any malicious intent.

Some have called for more severe fines (possibly a week’s wages instead of flat rate since MLS salaries) and a suspension. Hartman ended up with an MCL strain and will be out two to three weeks.

Video of the play can be seen here.

Below is the press release from the MLS official website on the decision

(from MLSSoccer.com) The MLS Disciplinary Committee fined Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry $2,000 on Monday for his part in an incident that injured FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman last Thursday.

Henry will not serve a suspension for his actions.

Moments after New York’s Mehdi Ballouchy scored in the 2-2 tie, Henry attempted to kick the ball into the net as a form of celebration. However, Hartman’s foot was positioned behind the ball at the time, and the goalkeeper suffered a knee injury as a result.

Hartman will miss two to three weeks with an MCL strain.

The referee did not issue a foul or a yellow card to Henry at the time. The New York Designated Player had already received a yellow card earlier in the game and another caution would have led to his ejection. Had he been ejected, he would have been missed the Red Bulls’ tilt against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Friday.

MLS executive vice president of competition Nelson Rodriguez said on Monday that, if the match referee sees the incident but does not act, as was the case on Thursday, then it is up to the committee to decide whether the incident satisfies certain conditions to sanction the player.

Firstly, the committee must be unanimous that the incident was a clear and unequivocal booking offense. Secondly, the action must be egregious enough that the committee feels it necessary to ”act to protect the integrity of the game.”

“The committee deemed that the first condition was not met,” Rodriguez told MLSsoccer.com. ”It was decided that the action was reckless enough as it resulted in an injury, so it had to be recognized with one of the largest fines the committee has handed out.”

Share and Enjoy

Inter Milan aka Internazionale wrapped up their pre-season USA tour with a friendly match against MLS side FC Dallas on Thursday, August 5, 2010.

FC Dallas 2-2 Inter Milan Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

FC Dallas 2-2 Inter Milan Recap

Inter Milan would take a 1-0 lead in the first half and a 2-1 lead in the second half but could only manage a draw against FC Dallas.

The opening goal for Inter came from Diego Milito in the 24th minute but FCD countered in the 42nd minute with a George John goal. It would remain 1-1 at halftime.

In the second half, Samuel Eto’o once gave Inter the lead (this time 2-1) but a 74th penalty converted by Dallas’ David Ferreira leveled the match at 2-2. Neither team would score the rest of the match and Inter finishes their USA tour with a win, a loss, and a draw.

FC Dallas 2-2 Inter Milan Match Stats

Goals

Share and Enjoy

FC Dallas hosts one of the top clubs in the world as they face Serie A side Inter Milan. The match will take place at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, August 5, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 21:00 EST, 8 PM local time in Texas, 02:00 BST (UK time) and 03:00 CET (Italy time).

FC Dallas v Inter Milan TV Listings

It will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel in the United States, Sky Sport 1 in Italy, Digi Sport in Hungary, and on Al Jazeera Sport in the Middle East. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

FC Dallas v Inter Milan Preview

Inter Milan have a new manager in Rafa Benitez and coming off an extremely successful 2009-10 season. They have kept most of their core players and could be adding a few more in the upcoming weeks. Inter have played two matches in the USA pre-season tour with mixed results. They beat Manchester City 3-0 but then lost 2-3 Panathinaikos on Tuesday.

FC Dallas are a team that missed the MLS play-offs last season but in contention for a spot this season. They are team with veterans like Jeff Cunningham and Kevin Hartman along with rising stars Brek Shea and Dax McCarty. FCD is unbeaten in their last seven league matches with a 4-3-0 record.

Inter are the obvious favorites in the match but MLS sides have proven they are cable of playing with top teams from the European leagues. FCD have the advantage of being in mid-season form and being used to the humidity and heat of the Texas summer. It should be a match with plenty of chances and a narrow in for the visitors.

FC Dallas v Inter Milan Prediction

Inter Milan will win the match 2-1.

FC Dallas v Inter Milan Betting Odds

FC Dallas win – 6/1

Draw – 11/4

Internazionale win – 2/5

Watch FC Dallas v Inter Milan Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

Share and Enjoy

FC Dallas 0-1 Los Angeles Galaxy – Video Highlights

The Galaxy continued their strong start to the 2010 season with a 1-0 win on Thursday night.

The lone goal was from Mike Magee in the 17th minute with assists from Tristan Brown and Chris Klein. The goal was set up when Klein sent a great through ball for Brown who got behind the defense and then sent a pass to Magee who was wide open in the box.

The win has the Galaxy leading the Western Conference by 13 points and improves their record to 8-2-0 with only two goals conceded all season. FCD is now 2-5-2 with 11 points.

Scoring Summary:

LA — Mike Magee 1 (Tristan Bowen 1, Chris Klein 1) 17

Misconduct Summary:

DAL — Ugo Ihemelu (caution; Reckless Tackle) 28
LA — Mike Magee (caution; Dissent) 31
LA – Michael Stephens (caution; Reckless Tackle) 35
DAL — Brek Shea (caution; Dissent) 42

Lineups

Los Angeles Galaxy — Donovan Ricketts, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar
Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, Todd Dunivant, Chris Klein (Sean Franklin
70), Christopher Birchall, Juninho, Michael Stephens, Tristan Bowen
(Clint Mathis 65), Mike Magee (Jovan Kirovski 74).

FC Dallas –
Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd (Bryan Leyva 77), George John, Ugo Ihemelu,
Jair Benitez, Atiba Harris, Daniel Hernandez, Dax McCarty, Brek Shea
(Marvin Chavez 72), Jeff Cunningham (Eric Avila 63), David Ferreira.

Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
Referee’s Assistants: Peter Balciunas; Adam Garner
4th Official: Chris Penso
Attendance: 10,947
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear and 81 degrees

Share and Enjoy

It will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest Plus in Dallas, Fox Sports West in Los Angeles (tape delayed, airs at 9 PM PST), and on Direct Kick in the United States. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

FC Dallas v Los Angeles Galaxy Preview

The Los Angeles Galaxy will be playing their first match without Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle on Thursday night. Both players are in the USA National Team camp and could be unavailable until July. Donovan is a lock for the roster while Buddle would return in June if not selected for the 23 man roster.

FC Dallas had a slow start to the season but have won two out of their last three matches. It would have been three out of their last three if they had not conceded a stoppage time goal to the Philadelphia Union last Saturday. Dallas has shown improvement and is unbeaten in four home matches.

With Buddle and Donovan not available, the Galaxy will need other players to provide the scoring. It’s hard to tell how they will respond on Thursday but manager Bruce Arena is one of the best in MLS. Even if they lack some of their attacking players, the real strength of the Galaxy has been their defense (2 goals conceded).

The key players for Dallas are striker Jeff Cunningham and midfielders Atiba Harris and Dax McCarty. Cunningham has four goals this season and is one of the top strikers when he’s in form. Harris and McCarty will need to control the midfield and provide good service for Cunningham. Another player for Dallas to keep an eye on is rising star Brek Shea. He scored a great goal in last week’s 1-1 draw and solid scoring threat from midfield.

FCD are starting to play well at home and should get a close win. The Galaxy will struggle as they adjust without top players and lose their first match of the season.

Injury News

FC Dallas - NONE REPORTED

Los Angeles - QUESTIONABLE: DF A.J. DeLaGarza (back spasms); DF Sean Franklin (L ankle sprain); FW Alan Gordon (R quad strain); FW Bryan Jordan (R hamstring strain); MF Dema Kovalenko (R hamstring strain); DF Leonardo (R quad strain); MF Eddie Lewis (L foot contusion); GK Donovan Ricketts (R elbow strain)

FC Dallas v Los Angeles Galaxy Prediction

FC Dallas will win the match 2-1.

Watch FC Dallas v Los Angeles Galaxy Live Online

You can watch the match at Free Live Sports TV.

Share and Enjoy