MLS Morning Espresso 9/17

Welcome back for another edition of the Espresso, your daily fix of last night’s MLS action. After surviving four days of deadlines, assignments, and temperamental technology, the weekend is finally within grasp. El Yay! And you know what the weekend brings – a host of MLS matches as your reward!

But before we look ahead, we must look back. Specifically, to last night. Ahem, in terms of MLS, of course.

Although there was only one match on the fixture list last night, FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls staged a classic barnburner down at Pizza Hut Park.

Milton Rodriguez’s goal  in the 24th minute gave the home team an early 1-0 lead. And it was a goal FCD needed after they went a man down five minutes later when Brek Shea was awarded a red for a hard challenge on Chris Albright. With a man advantage, New York finally equalized in the 48th minute when newly-acquired Mehdi Ballouchy tapped one past Kevin Hartman. Somehow, FCD, with only ten men, responded with an Eric Alexander goal in the 68th.

From there, all the Frisco kids had to do was sit back and flood the box. Right? They did, so well in fact that Dallas defender Jair Benitez headed Joel Lindpere’s cross right into…the…back…of…his…own…net in the 82nd minute. Ouch. The own goal levelled the score for good, as the Frisco frenzy ended at 2-2.