The game in 100 words (or less): Before Saturday’s slate of MLS games kicked off, road teams had won just under 25 percent of games on the season. After a 3-0 record on Saturday, capped off by FC Dallas’ 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, that number stands at well over 25 percent. The three points secured in Saturday’s victory put FCD on 57 points, which is good enough to clinch home-field advantage throughout the entirety of the Western Conference playoffs. David Texeira scored the game’s only goal (6th of the season) to give FCD their 17th victory of the season (tops in the league). FCD now hold a three-point advantage on the New York Red Bulls in the race for the Supporters’ Shield. RBNY are away to the Philadelphia Union on Sunday. If both sides win out to finish the regular season, RBNY currently hold a three-goal advantage in the goal differential tiebreaker. RSL, on the other hand, are now officially eliminated from playoff contention.
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Three moments that mattered
36' — Gonzalez’s reaction save thwarts “El Burrito” — Juan Manuel Martinez found himself all alone against 20-year-old Jesse Gonzalez shortly before halftime, but the young Mexican goalkeeper (born in North Carolina) reached out with his big right paw and batted the ball down as it look destined for the far post.
57' — Texeira splits the RSL defense, makes it 1-0 — RSL’s central defensive duo of Aaron Maund and Elias Vasquez parted for Texeira like the Red Sea as the Uruguayan latched onto Mauro Diaz’s through ball and struck expertly to beat Jeff Attinella.
Cooler than the other side of the pillow. David Texeira gets in behind the RSL defense to put FC Dallas in front 1-0 http://t.co/i4qfCvFMlC
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2015
59' — Attinella out quickly to save Castillo’s effort — There are few things in MLS more frightening that Fabian Castillo, with a full head of steam, bearing down on you as a goalkeeper. When the Colombian attacker made a beeline for RSL’s penalty area, Attinella was brave in coming off his line and closing down Castillo’s shooting angle.
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Man of the match: David Texeira
Goalscorers: Texeira (57')