FC Dallas clinches trip to MLS playoffs

They haven't been since 2007.

FRISCO — With a 3-0 win over the visiting Chicago Fire Saturday night, FC Dallas clinched its first trip to MLS playoffs since the 2007 season. FC Dallas playoff tickets are on sale now through ticketmaster.com and FCDallas.com.

Individual playoff tickets start as low as $18 with special Friends and Family discount offers for season ticket holders, sponsors, affiliates, pub partners, and anyone purchasing a ticket to the final regular-season home game versus Colorado on October 9.

The Dallas side stretched its MLS season-best unbeaten streak to 18 games with the win, tying the single-season mark Columbus set in 2004 when the Crew went 18 matches without a loss to end the season. The longest unbeaten streak in MLS history is 19 games set by the Crew from 2004 to 2005.

FC Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham scored his 132nd career goal on a penalty kick in the 67th minute, tying Jaime Moreno’s all-time career goals mark.

Milton Rodriguez scored FC Dallas’ first goal in the 19th minute. He was assisted on the play by goalkeeper Dario Sala, who came off his line to take a free kick just outside the penalty area. The assist was the second of Sala’s career. His first was on July 8, 2006. It was the fourth assist by a goalkeeper in MLS this season and the 68th all-time.

On the play, Sala drove a long pass that took a hop 30 yards from goal and bounced over the Fire back line. Rodriguez out-muscled a defender and struck the ball on the volley from 12 yards out for the one-goal lead.

Marvin Chavez scored FC Dallas’ second goal of the game in the 46th minute. It was Chavez’s second career goal. His first came last weekend in Kansas City. On the play, Chavez snuck in behind the Fire defense where David Ferreira picked him out with a ball played in on the floor. Chavez carried the ball to the corner of the six-yard box before cutting back and shooting to the back post.

Ferreira’s assist was his team-leading 13th of the season. He is now one assist behind LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (14) for the lead in MLS this season. Ferreira is now two assists away from tying the FC Dallas franchise record for assists in a season set by Jason Kreis in 1999.

As FC Dallas heads into the 2010 post-season, the early bird gets big savings. Fans purchasing 2011 season tickets before Monday, October 4 will receive discounts from 30% to 40% off as part of the club’s “Get in and Win” season ticket campaign.

Current FC Dallas season ticket holders who renew for the 2011 season prior to Monday, October 4 will receive two options – a free upgrade on their seats or a 30-40 percent discount on season tickets. Fans purchasing new 2011 season tickets will also receive options on playoff tickets and discounts on remaining games for the 2010 season.

Premium seating options such as the Winstar Club Loge, Field Tables, Center Circle and Club seats are also available in limited inventory. Contact the FC Dallas Front Office at (888) 323-4625 for details or go to www.fcdallas.com/getinandwin.

Source: FC Dallas