By RYAN TOLMICH
FC Dallas avoided their fifth-straight loss, as a late Fabian Castillo equalizer was just enough to earn a 1-1 draw with visiting Chivas USA.
Entering Saturday’s matchup, FC Dallas had lost four straight by a combined 9-3 scoreline. They looked to be well on their way to yet another defeat when Marco Delgado scored the game’s opening goal in the 60th minute.
The scoring play was a credit to Chivas USA midfielder Mauro Rosales, who received the ball on the right side of the box and took off towards the end line. The Argentine played a looping ball towards the penalty spot and found an open Delgado, who found the back of the net first-time for his first goal of the 2014 campaign.
FC Dallas found their answer in the 83rd minute shortly following a Jair Benitez corner. After his initial ball in was cleared, Benitez regrouped in the corner and hit another ball back into the box. The cross fell to the left foot of Castillo, who scored his third goal of the season and his second against Chivas USA this campaign.
The hosts nearly added a second just minutes later, but Je-Vaughn Watson’s goal off of a FC Dallas free kick was ruled offside by the referee.
It was a well-earned draw for the hosts, who statistically dominated the opposition. FC Dallas enjoyed 63 percent of the possession while also outshooting Chivas USA 15-8 on the evening.
With the draw, FC Dallas move into third place in the Western Conference while Chivas USA sit in eighth. FC Dallas will be back in action next week when they head to the Stubhub Center to take on the LA Galaxy. Meanwhile, Chivas USA take on last-place Portland Timbers in their next contest.