FC Dallas Shuts Out Minnesota United

via The Sports Xchange

Javier Morales and Michael Barrios scored goals six minutes apart in the middle of the match as FC Dallas returned to MLS play with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over expansion Minnesota United FC on Saturday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzales stopped everything that came his way, getting stronger as the match progressed, while Minnesota United FC keeper Bobby Shuttleworth was overwhelmed by the early charge of offense by the reigning Supporters Shield holder.
FC Dallas (3-0-1, 10 points) shrugged off Tuesday’s elimination by Mexican stalwart CF Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal and remained unbeaten in league play.
Dallas jumped on top in the 43rd minute as Morales was waiting on the doorstep to redirect a header by Walker Zimmerman past Shuttleworth after a perfect cross by Barrios.
Barrios added a goal in the 49th minute off a pass from Kellyn Acosta and then had to hold on as the upstart visitors put their game into a different gear and came after FC Dallas.
Barrios’ goal seemed to incite Minnesota United (1-4-1, four points) as the Loons turned up the offensive heat with four shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Johan Venegas even had a point-blank shot on his right foot in the 61st minute and unleashed a wicket shot that was turned away by Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzales with a huge, diving save that kept Minnesota United off the scoreboard.
FCD outshot the Loons 8-1 in the first half and had three shots on goal to none for Minnesota United FC. Shuttleworth saved two more FC Dallas shots that had eyes for the net and Minnesota owned a 55.2-44.8 percent possession advantage that helped keep it in the match despite not coming close to threatening over the first 45 minutes of play