FRISCO, Texas – Chris Wondolowski scored a first-half brace and the San Jose Earthquakes held the lead, spoiling the debut of FC Dallas Designated Player Fabián Castillo en route to a 2-0 victory at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night.
After failing to score in their season-opener against Real Salt Lake, San Jose finally found the back of the net in 2011 and beat FC Dallas for the first time since rejoining the league in 2008.
In the fifth minute, Wondolowski chested down a Chris Leitch pass just inside the Dallas 18-yard box, turned to his left foot and side-winded a volley past a diving Kevin Hartman.
After FC Dallas managed their first real scoring threat on a Marvin Chavez cross that skated in front of the San Jose goalmouth, Wondolowski struck again.
Leitch's initial pass found the feet of Joey Gjertsen just inside the FC Dallas 18-yard box. Gjertsen then floated another cross to the 2010 Golden Boot winner, who had no trouble heading the ball past Hartman.
With Wondolowski’s brace, each of San Jose’s last 12 regular-season goals has come from the American forward, an MLS record.
For FC Dallas, it was first time since Sept. 12, 2009, that they conceded two goals in the first half, spanning 38 games and parts of the last three seasons. They gave up three goals in the first half of a 6-3 win over the LA Galaxy.
While maintaining possession in the first half, FCD did not register a shot on goal and didn’t get their first crack at San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch until the 55th minute. That came from a toe poke by Milton Rodriguez, forcing Busch to make a diving save.
Castillo made his much-awaited debut for Dallas in the 59th minute when he came in for Ricardo Villar. The prized 18-year-old Colombian striker made his presence felt almost immediately with a pretty cross to the far post, but Rodríguez’s header went several feet over Busch’s crossbar.
FC Dallas nearly pulled one back close to full time on a Ruben Luna header, but Busch was there waiting again.
San Jose return home to host Seattle on April 3. MLS Cup runners-up FC Dallas, meanwhile, head to Columbus on April 2 still seeking their first win of the 2011 season.
Scoring Summary:
SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 1 (Chris Leitch 1) 5
SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 2 (Joey Gjertsen 1) 23
Misconduct Summary:
None
Lineups:
San Jose Earthquakes -- Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Ramiro Corrales (Brad Ring 89), Joey Gjertsen (Ellis McLoughlin 73), Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins (Ike Opara 83), Bobby Convey, Chris Wondolowski, Ryan Johnson.
Substitutes Not Used: Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Bobby Burling, Matt Luzunaris, Andrew Weber.
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd, George John, Jackson Goncalves (Ruben Luna 74), Jair Benitez, Marvin Chavez, Eric Alexander (Eric Avila 62), Daniel Hernandez, Ricardo Villar (Fabian Castillo 57), Milton Rodriguez, David Ferreira.
Substitutes Not Used: Ugo Ihemelu, Andrew Jacobson, Bobby Warshaw, Chris Seitz.
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee's Assistants: Peter Manikowski; Mike Kampmeinert
4th Official: Armando Villarreal
Attendance: 11,022
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Clear and 68 degrees
