Jair Benitez stood at the penalty spot in stoppage time with a chance to earn FC Dallas a come from behind road draw against the MLS best San Jose Earthquakes. It sounded too good to be true for a team that was in the midst of a 13-match winless streak just a week ago. Well it was too good to be true because Benitez sent the penalty over the bar and San Jose held on for a 2-1 win to extend their lead atop MLS to seven points.
San Jose Earthquakes Vs. FC Dallas, 2012 MLS: Quakes Barely Hang On To Win
That the match was even in doubt was a shocker. The best in MLS, the Quakes, were 2-0 up after goals by Marvin Chavez and Alan Gordon. Not only that, but they had MLS's leading scorer at the penalty spot with a chance to put them up 3-0 at home. And it looked like that's exactly what Chris Wondolowski appeared to do, beating Kevin Hartman with his spot kick. But the referee made him take the kick over again because a teammate entered the box too soon and when he retook the kick, Hartman made the save.
It was game on for Dallas, but they sure left things until late. They didn't get on the scoreboard until the 89th minute when Hernan Pertuz got on the end of a Jackson cross and snapped it past Jon Busch to get the visitors within one.
Then in stoppage time it looked like the Hoops had done the job. Simon Dawkins hip checked Zach Loyd and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. All Benitez had to do was convert the penalty and Dallas would have themselves an unexpected draw, only Benitez didn't concert the penalty.
Dallas were losers once again and San Jose had somehow managed a win even when it felt like they had no chance at getting all three. They seem to have made a habit of that and their spot atop the league proves it.
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