Loss eliminates Quakes from playoff race

Despite Amarikwa's first MLS goal, San Jose falls to visiting FC Dallas

FCD attacker David Ferreira opened the scoring four minutes into the second half, only to see that effort canceled out in the 73rd minute by Quincy Amarikwa's first-ever MLS goal.

Yet with just eight minutes remaining, Ferreira released Dax McCarty on a clear breakaway, and with Quakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon coming out to challenge, the FCD midfielder alertly squared the ball to Cunningham, who deposited the ball into an empty net for his league-leading 17th goal of the season.

The result not only ended San Jose's four-game unbeaten streak, but officially eliminated the Quakes from the playoff race. Dallas meanwhile saw their hopes of reaching the postseason gain even more momentum from their third consecutive victory. They now trail New England by just two points for the eighth and final playoff spot.

With his team decimated by international call-ups and injuries, San Jose head coach Frank Yallop made four changes from the side that beat New York 1-0 last Saturday with Bobby Burling, Mike Zaher, Shea Salinas and Antonio Ribeiro all entering the lineup. The reduced numbers also meant that the Quakes had just five available substitutes.

FCD manager Schellas Hyndman had it much easier. He made just one switch from the team that beat New England 1-0 a week ago, with Marvin Chavez replacing the suspended Atiba Harris.

The greater stability in Dallas' lineup was evident in the opening exchanges. Cunningham had two good opportunities in the opening 10 minutes, but his first chance was cleared off the line by Brandon McDonald, while his second effort was blocked by Zaher.

Dallas continued to try to exploit their speed advantage up top. In the 20th minute, a long ball from McCarty found Cunningham on the left side of the Quakes penalty area, and while the home defense did well to force the Dallas striker wide, his tight-angled shot forced a sharp save from Cannon.

The Quakes finally created their first semblance of a threat in the 25th minute when Salinas found Chris Wondolowski in the box, but despite a series of cutback moves, his shot was blocked by FCD defender George John.

San Jose threatened again four minutes later, but Burling's glancing header from a Convey free kick was just wide.

The match was played out on more level terms for the next 10 minutes, before the Quakes ended the half with a flurry. Convey's free kick in the 38th minute was half-cleared to Salinas, whose bullet volley was saved by FCD 'keeper Dario Sala with his right leg. The Quakes threatened from another Convey set piece three minutes later, but Chris Wondolowski's header from seven yards was hit straight at Sala.

While Dallas ended the first half on shaky ground, they began the second on firmer footing with Ferreira netting his eighth goal of the season in the 49th minute. Cunningham released the Colombian with a clever pass, and after rounding Cannon, Ferreira scored into an empty net.

The Quakes nearly hit back four minutes later, as Ribeiro saw his shot from 20 yards touched around the post by Sala.

Yallop didn't wait much longer to dip into his wafer-thin bench, bringing on Amarikwa for Ribeiro in the 61st minute, and moving Wondolowski back into midfield.

The move paid off 12 minutes later. Salinas' long ball into space was easily collected by Amarikwa, who then deftly chipped the ball over the advancing Sala to tie the game.

Yet Dallas wasn't deterred, and given their tenuous spot in the playoff race, they continued to attack. That attitude paid off in the 81st minute with Cunningham's game-winner.

San Jose had one last chance off a corner kick a minute into stoppage time. Cannon came forward for a corner kick, and his header appeared to be ticketed for goal. But Jair Benitez cleared the ball off the line after Sala swatted at it, and the danger was averted.

San Jose will now try to continue to impact the playoff race this Saturday when the travel east to take on Toronto FC.

Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com

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