What a difference a week makes. Interim Head Coach Marco Feruzzi gets a victory in his debut as Dominic Oduro came off the bench to score two goals in a late nine-minute span to lead FC Dallas to a come from behind 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake in front of 8,960 fans at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX. This game was a far cry from last weekend’s 5-1 debacle at the hands of the visiting Galaxy. The atmosphere and the crowd were definitely in “wait and see” mode throughout the contest, but it got feisty on the field as both teams finished the game with 10 men. Real Salt Lake had Ian Joy sent off in the 38th for a second yellow while FCD had Bobby Rhine got a straight red card in first half stoppage time.

This was Dallas’ first game without Steve Morrow as head coach and the interim Ferruzzi made several changes to the starting 11, not starting midfielder Juan Toja and forward Arturo Alvarez. Ferruzzi went with Anthony Wallace and Rhine instead, only using 2 forwards this game and he also started Aaron Pitchkolan in the back for Adrian Serioux (who had to sit out due to his straight red card in last weeks aforementioned beatdown by the David Beckham led LA boys).

RSL head coach Jason Kreis also made several changes, starting Robbie Findley up top for Fabian Espindola, as well as Ian Joy for Tony Beltran (who is in France playing for the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team in the Toulon International Tournament). Salt Lake playmaking midfielder Javier Morales (who directs much of the teams offense and who leads the team with four assists this season) recovered from a groin injury enough to start.

Second half substitute Fabian Espindola’s third goal of the year on the visitors’ first shot of the second half gave RSL a chance to get a point on the road this year, something they have been unable to do in four previous tries. However, FCD second half sub Oduro’s 83rd and 91st minute goals gave the home crowd some good memories and the Hoops the full 3 points. FCD outshot RSL by a 10-2 margin in the second half.

This was the fourth time in the last five meetings between these two teams in which FC Dallas has scored a goal in the final 10 minutes to give the team points. FCD is now 6 wins in all 6 trips to north Texas by the Wasatch Mountain boys scoring 13 goals to 5 for the Royalists. Real Salt Lake really needs to fix their road woes for the 2008 MLS campaign as they have now notched 5 losses in 5 trips out of state, scoring just 3 goals while allowing 12. Luckily for them, the next two scheduled games are at the friendly confines of Rice-Eccles Stadium, hosting the San Jose Earthquakes May 31st and the Kansas City Wizards June 7th. FC Dallas has a short turnaround, hosting heated rivals the Houston Dynamo Wednesday May 28 and then going to Colorado June 1st for a Sunday tilt versus the Rapids.

Scoring Summary:
RSL — Fabian Espindola 3 (Javier Morales 5) 69
DAL — Dominic Oduro 2 (Drew Moor 1) 83
DAL — Dominic Oduro 3 (Andre Rocha 4) 91

Real Salt Lake — Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Nat Borchers, Jamison Olave (Matias Mantilla 77), Ian Joy, Dema Kovalenko, Kyle Beckerman, Andy Williams, Javier Morales, Kenny Deuchar (Fabian Espindola 54), Robbie Findley (Kenny Cutler 46).

FC Dallas — Dario Sala, Drew Moor, Duilio Davino, Aaron Pitchkolan, Bobby Rhine, Andre Rocha, Pablo Ricchetti, Marcelo Saragosa, Anthony Wallace (Arturo Alvarez 69), Abe Thompson (Dominic Oduro 65), Kenny Cooper.

Total shots: FCD 16 (Kenny Cooper 7) RSL 8 (Kenny Deuchar 2, Dema Kovalenko 2)
Shots on goal: FCD 7 (Kenny Cooper 2, Dominic Oduro 2) RSL 2 (Kenny Deuchar 1, Fabian Espindola 1)
Fouls: FCD 12 (4 tied with 2) RSL 18 (Javier Morales 5)
Corner kicks: FCD 5 (Andre Rocha 3) RSL 6 (Andy Williams 4)
Saves: FCD 1 (Dario Sala 1) RSL 5 (Nick Rimando 5)

Misconduct Summary:
RSL — Ian Joy (caution; Reckless Foul) 18
RSL — Ian Joy (ejection; Second Caution) 38
DAL — Bobby Rhine (ejection; Violent Conduct) 45
RSL — Kenny Cutler (caution; Reckless Foul) 48
DAL — Marcelo Saragosa (caution; Reckless Foul) 60