With a 1-0 advantage after the first leg of the play-in round with El Salvador side Alizana FC, FC Dallas made sure to get the best start possible in the return leg at Pizza Hut Park. Midway through the first half, on a night where temperatures hit 107 degrees, Dallas got a first half goal from Ugo Ihemelu.
FC Dallas Vs. Alianza FC: Halftime, Ihemelu Puts Dallas Up 1-0
The goal came off a corner kick for Dallas. Ricardo Villar sent in a nice ball to the middle of the box where Ihemelu was able to get on the end of it. Its possible an Alianza defender helped guide it into the back of the net.
Dallas controlled most of the first half with the possession and chances on goal. Early on it seemed like Dallas had a goal from Villar, who rebounded a Brek Shea shot. The goal was called off because the center official ruled that Villar handled the ball before putting it in the back of the net.
Dallas did pick up a scare late in the half when midfielder Jackson Goncalves was tripped up from behind. His ankle appeared to be stepped on and he was immediately subbed off in place for Ruben Luna.
Should the result stand, it will see Dallas become the forth MLS team to advance into the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament for this year (Toronto FC, the Colorado Rapids and the Los Angeles Galaxy are already in the group stage).
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