FC Dallas shut out CSD Comunicaciones of Guatemala’s Liga Nacional 2-0 Wednesday night in an international friendly at Pizza Hut Park. Defender Daniel Torres and midfielder Eric Avila provided the scoring in tonight’s match, the last competitive action for FC Dallas before its next regular season match at Real Salt Lake on July 24.

After several early missed opportunities, Torres put Dallas in front in the 19th minute with a header off a Dave van den Bergh corner kick. Torres managed to get free from his defender at the top of the six-yard box and redirected the Dutch midfielder’s in-swinging cross past David Guerra, the opposing goalkeeper.

Following the goal, FC Dallas continued to apply pressure as midfielder Dax McCarty and forward Jeff Cunningham each missed on close chances in the 24th and 31st minutes, respectively.

CSD Comunicaciones managed a few opportunities of their own in the first half, but none proved too difficult for FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala. The Argentine ‘keeper went the full 90 minutes and finished with three saves on the night. It was Sala’s first appearance in the net since re-aggravating a left knee injury against Chivas USA on April 25.

The one-goal lead would last until the 88th minute when Avila, a second-half substitute, put the game away for good. Blake Wagner lofted a ball over the Comunicaciones defense, landing at Brek Shea’s feet. Shea then dished the ball off to David Ferreira, who had found space between defenders at the top of the penalty box. Looking right, Ferreira laid the ball off to Avila who took a touch to control before whistling it by Guerra into the far side of the goal.

The result gives FC Dallas its second win over an international opponent in recent weeks following a 2-0 victory over Costa Rican club CS Herediano on June 10. FC Dallas now begins a four-day weekend before returning to the practice field on Monday, July 20 to begin preparing for its upcoming MLS fixture at Real Salt Lake. 

Both teams would play the final 13 minutes of tonight’s match with only ten men after FCD’s Dax McCarty and Comunicaciones’ Freddy Thompson each received red cards following a brief skirmish in the 77th minute.

Scoring Summary:

DAL - Daniel Torres (Dave van den Bergh) 19’
DAL - Eric Ávila (David Ferreira, Brek Shea) 88’

FC DALLAS: Dario Sala, Steve Purdy (Moor 74’), Pablo Richetti, Kyle Davies (Blake Wagner 45’), Daniel Torres, André Rocha (Eric Ávila 45’), Dax McCarty, Bruno Guarda, Dave van den Bergh (Anthony Wallace 66’), David Ferreira, Jeff Cunningham (Brek Shea 45’).

Subs Not Used: Josh Lambo.

CSD COMUNICACIONES: David Guerra, Carlos Gallardo (Jose Monterroso 45’), Edwin Enriquez, Rigoberto Gomez (Dagoberto Arriola 45’), Erwin Morales (Rafael Morales 45’), Jean Marquez (Edgar Cotto 45’), Freddy Thompson, Abner Trigueros, Bryan Ordonez (Juan Orellana 45’), Rolando Fonseca, Transito Montepeque (Dwight Pezzarossi 45’)

Subs Not Used: Luis Bradley, Juan Paredes, Carlos Castrillo.

Misconduct:

DAL- Dax McCarty 77’ (ejection)
COM - Freddy Thompson 77’ (ejection)
DAL - Brek Shea 80’ (caution)

Referee: Landis Wiley
Assistant: Adam Garner                                               
Assistant: Jonathan Johnson
Fourth Official: Jorge Luna Hernandez