First goal sets confident tone for FC Dallas

Dominic Oduro has ended FC Dallas' three game non-scoring streak by scoring the opener in their match against New York Red Bulls. Read on.

Dominic Oduro is lifted by his team mates after scoring the first goal of his professional career.

Culled from mlsnet.com

By Scott Joiner / MLSnet.com Staff

FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas got two early goals and weathered a late New York Red Bulls rally to hang on for a 2-1 victory Saturday night at Pizza Hut Park.

Dominic Oduro got his first career goal in the second minute of play -- in his first MLS start -- followed soon after by David Wagenfuhr, who also scored his first career goal, in the 33rd minute. New York was more dangerous in the second half and put a scare into the Hoops after Mike Magee scored a great goal in the 80th minute.

"I was very pleased," said FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke. "We battled and you know it wasn't the prettiest but it was about as pretty as some of the other games we've got beaten in, so we'll take the three points. That's what it's all about."

The Oduro goal was the earliest the Hoops had scored in a game all season and set the tone for what was a solid performance from Clarke's side.

"It's very important," said Clarke. "We emphasized that first goal and it can't come much quicker than that."

The rookie was a handful for the Red Bulls back line, getting behind players and creating his debut goal with his raw speed.

"I feel good. I've been working hard to score goals and all that and I had a feeling I was going to make it today," said Oduro. "It feels good because I had it in mind that I was going to score a goal and it really came through."

Said Clarke: "He's done great, he's got pace and he doesn't give up on things. They obviously haven't seen a lot of him and he caught them a little flat-footed there and stepped in and tucked it away. Well, it was great. I was delighted."

Once Carlos Ruiz went down with a hamstring injury in the 15th minute FC Dallas could have easily let up and become lost without their star striker, but they found a way to come away with the win.

"I think that was part of it," said Richard Mulrooney. "Basically we bunkered in at the end of the game and when you do that teams are going to get opportunities. But thankfully we were able to hold them off and at the end of the day the only thing that counts is the three points."

With Ruiz's hamstring status unkown, the Hoops might have to rely on Oduro and Cooper up top in the Brimstone Cup match in Chicago next Saturday.

"Of course I'm going to miss him (Ruiz)," said Oduro. "But the task right now is on me and Kenny and we have to do our best to score more goals."

FCD 'keeper Dario Sala made several great saves in the match to keep the Hoops alive. Some might attribute his inspired performance to the signing of Trinidad & Tobago 'keeper Shaka Hislop this past week, but Sala disagreed.

"I always compete with myself," said Sala. "I've got a strong personality and strong mentality and always think I am going to play -- even if they brought Shaka (Hislop) or (Italy's Gianluigi) Buffon I think I am going to play. This is the mentality you have to have to go and be in the goal."

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