Major League Soccer Playoffs, Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas, Leg 1: Eric Avila Gives Hoops Hope

FC Dallas got contributions from one of the most decorated goal scorers in league history as well as one that has almost no goal-scoring past.

Jeff Cunningham, he of 132 career MLS goals, scored his first playoff goal since 2005. His first-half strike leveled the score at 1-1. Cunningham received a pass from David Ferreira on the edge of the penalty area, was able to dribble through couple RSL defenders and then beat Nick Rimando inside the near post.

Eric Avila, who has scored just twice in 50 career MLS games, gave FC Dallas their first lead of the match with an 88th goal. He was able to corral a ball Ferreira had just lost, dribbled to the edge of the penalty area and beat Rimando with a curling ball inside the far post.

Both teams played a significant portion of the second half a man down, as Javier Morales picked up his second yellow card in the 69th minute and Atiba Harris got a straight red in the 75th minute. Morales had been involved in a double-yellow card situation with Daniel Hernandez at the start of the second half and was caught giving an elbow to Dax McCarty on a 50/50 ball at midfield for his second infraction.

The loss of Morales is probably the more significant of the two as RSL now heads home trailing by a goal and lacking their top playmaker. Harris, while a starter, has been a less significant player for the Hoops and will likely be replaced by the similarly skilled Brek Shea.

RSL was poised to make a statement early as Fabian Espindola gave the Lakers the lead in the 5th minute with a wonderful strike from outside the penalty area. The shot beat Kevin Hartman in the top far corner.

Hartman had not played since suffering a knee injury about six weeks ago, but did not seem particularly rusty. He made the saves he needed to make and showed a confidence in coming off his line that backup Dario Sala has lacked.