FC Dallas 2 - L.A. Galaxy 1

FC Dallas defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday night, 2-1. Dallas got goals from Carlos Ruiz on a questionably-called penalty kick and Kenny Cooper. L.A.'s goal was scored by Robbie Findley.

I was there and I will be filing a full report on everything from Justin Guarini's national anthem to the Riot Squad heckling ESPN anchors by shouting "Eric Wynalda" during the pre-game - look for the report later tonight.

Galaxy/FC Dallas Preview

I'm going to be ducking out of work early so that I can be immersed in the hell that is the 91 freeway at rush hour - I'm hoping to get to the Galaxy/FC Dallas game on time. I am fortunate enough to have front row seats at midfield, so I'll have a good vantage point to give a full report from.

Here's what I'm expecting: A Galaxy romp in their home opener. The defense of FC Dallas will be exploited at will by Landon Donovan and Kyle Martino. Joe Cannon may get another shut-out if Carlos Ruiz doesn't steal a last-minute goal against the G's like he did against RSL. Final score will read 3-0 Galaxy, with goals from Donovan (2) and Martino.

The game will be televised on ESPN2, starting at 7 p.m. PST. Keep an eye out for the 'Free Eric Wynalda' signs in the Riot Squad section.

American Idol Meet MLS

According to a recent press release, American Idol season one runner-up Justin Guarini will be singing the national anthem before tomorrow night's FC Dallas - L.A. Galaxy clash. And ESPN2 will be there to catch it all.
Seriously. Go back up and read it again. I had to read it four times before it set in. Really, I've got nothing else to say to this.

Jeff Cunningham Named Player Of The Week

Real Salt Lake's Jeff Cunningham has been named MLS Player of the Week for Week 1. He scored both of his team's goals in a two-all tie against FC Dallas.

Cunningham has been named Player of the Week nine times in his career, tied for the most-ever with the L.A. Galaxy's Cobi Jones. He was also the Golden Boot for last season, when he scored 16 goals over the course of the year, most in the league.

TJ's take: I didn't get to see any of the FCD-RSL game, but my player of the week would be Sacha Kljestan. The kid had a beautiful goal (his first goal ever) and an assist in Chivas USA's impressive defeat of Toronto FC.

2007 Preview - FC Dallas

2006 Record: 16-12-4 - 52 points (1st in West)
-- lost to Colorado in MLS Cup quarterfinals.

Key additions: Adrian Serioux (Toronto FC), Juan Carlos Toja (Independiente Santa Fe)
Key losses: Ronnie O'Brien (Toronto FC), Richard Mulrooney (Toronto FC), Simo Valakari (released)

After crashing out in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs last year, FC Dallas has undergone a coaching change - Colin Clarke is out and Steve Morrow is in. But it won't matter who their coach is this year, Dallas will struggle all season to keep their head above water.

Ronnie O'Brien and Richard Mulrooney have both been traded to Toronto FC and new pick-up Adrian Serioux will miss the first half of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Juan Carlos Toja, a largely unknown midfielder from Colombia, has been officially signed and could go a long way in replacing Simo Valakari, last year's captain whose contract was not renewed.

Back-up 'keeper Shaka Hislop will be the starter when the season opens, thanks to Dario Sala's six-game suspension from last year. Hislop has been very inconsistent in his time in a Hoops kit. Sala will likely be handed the starter's job when his suspension is over.

Even though Carlos Ruiz and Kenny Cooper are still part of the Hoops' offensive arsenal, I don't see them repeating last year's successes. In fact, I don't even see them making the playoffs. They will finish dead-last in the Western Conference, costing Steve Morrow his job.

TJ's projected finish: 6th in the West, 12th overall.

Columbus Triumps In Pioneer Cup

In a tribute to the late Lamar Hunt, the two teams that Hunt owned at the time of his passing met in the first-ever Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup in Frisco, Texas, yesterday, with the Columbus Crew scoring a 3-0 victory over FC Dallas.

At Pizza Hut Park, the match looked like a classic pre-season game, with few scoring opportunities in the first half. After halftime, Columbus was the better side, spending much of the second half in the attacking third. In the 51st minute, Joseph Ngwenya struck a ball from the left-side that beat FCD keeper Shaka Hislop, but couldn't bend inside the far post, instead caroming harmlessly away from the box. Seven minutes later, Danny O'Rourke hit a rocket that slammed off the crossbar, with Ngwenya in the perfect place for the rebound. He slotted it home to give the Crew a 1-0 lead.

In the 62nd minute, Kei Kamara got into the action, receiving a pass from Stefani Miglioranzi and beating Hislop at the far post for a 2-0 advantage.

The men in yellow weren't done yet. In the 86th minute, Aaron Chandler added an insurance goal for Columbus. His shot was initially stopped by Hislop, but managed to trickle into the back of the net.

Other notes: Newly acquired Robbie Rogers made his debut for Columbus, coming on in the 76th minute... Stefani Miglioranzi recorded assists on all three Columbus goals. Miglioranzi was acquired in the off-season after a brief stint with the Los Angeles Galaxy last year... Crew defender Frankie Hejduk was back in the lineup for the first time in almost a year after suffering torn knee ligaments in 2006 - he is looking fully recovered.

Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup

With about a month to go before the MLS season officially starts, those of you itching for some action on the pitch can take in the Lamar Hunt Pioneer Cup. Named in honor of Lamar Hunt, one of the pioneers of the MLS, the game will feature the two teams owned by Hunt Sports Group, Columbus Crew and FC Dallas, in a charity match to be held at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. The game will raise funds for Dallas Scores, a program that helps inner-city youths.

Lamar Hunt passed away in December 2006, after a battle with cancer. "If it wasn't for Lamar Hunt, U.S. soccer wouldn't be the same," said FCD second-year midfielder Dax McCarty. "He was a true innovator and one of the true believers in the game to succeed here." Hunt was one of the founders of both Major League Soccer and its predecessor, the North American Soccer League, and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1982.

The game will air on Fox Soccer Channel today at 6:00 p.m. EST/3:00 p.m. PST. FC Dallas will also unveil a commemorative 'LH' circle patch that will be worn on the right sleeve of the uniform this season.

Lamar Hunt
1932 - 2006