The 2010 FC Dallas season was the fifteenth season of the team's existence.
| 2010 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Clark Hunt | ||
| Head coach | Schellas Hyndman | ||
| Major League Soccer | 4th | ||
| MLS Cup | Runners-Up | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Did not qualify | ||
| Texas Derby | Champions | ||
| Pioneer Cup | Champions | ||
| Highest home attendance | 21,193 vs. Inter Milan (August 6, 2010) (Exhibition) 15,993 vs. Kansas City Wizards (July 3, 2010) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 8,016 vs. Houston (March 27, 2010) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 10,617 | ||
Dallas' season was highlighted by qualifying for the first MLS Cup Final in franchise history, where they ultimately came up short, losing to the Colorado Rapids in extra time, from an own goal by George John who inadvertently deflected a ball into his own net. In spite of the MLS Cup shortcomings, Dallas earned a preliminary spot in the 2011–12 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League, for next year.
During the regular season, the club set a team record for longest home unbeaten streak, with six matches. Additionally, during this unbeaten streak from May to October, Dallas set an MLS record for longest road unbeaten streak (11 matches) and overall unbeaten streak (15) before eventually losing to Real Salt Lake towards the end of the season. The unbeaten streak, gave Dallas their best regular season record since 2007. David Ferreira of Dallas was crowned the league's Most Valuable Player.
Outside of MLS, the club a short-lived spell in the U.S. Open Cup play-in proper. In an April 28 qualification match against D.C. United, the club, fielded primarily by reserves, lost 4–2.
Background
Review
Preseason
March
Dallas began their fifteenth Major League Soccer regular season with a 1–1 draw in a home match against the Houston Dynamo on March 27, 2009.[1]
April
May
June
July
August
FC Dallas hosted a friendly against the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League Champions Inter Milan on August 5, 2010.[2]
September
The month of September saw Dallas obtain several landmark records for their club and for the MLS. As of September 21, 2010, those records are:
Longest Active Home Winning Streak – 6 Games – Club Record – ending with their tie at home to New York Red Bulls
Longest Road Unbeaten Streak – 11 Games – MLS & Club Record
Longest Active Unbeaten Streak – 15 Games – MLS & Club Record
In September, a heated match with New York Red Bulls on September 16 produced well-publicized controversy. New York Red Bulls forward & designated player, Thierry Henry injured FC Dallas goalie Kevin Hartman in celebration of the Red Bulls' first goal of the evening by Mehdi Ballouchy in the 48+ minute of the match.. Henry kicked the ball after the play had ended. FC Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was on the other side of the ball and suffered a knee injury as a result. The Disciplinary Committee determined Henry's action to be unsporting and issued a $2,000 fine.
As a result of Henry's actions, FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman spoke out against the referees decision; saying it showed a "lack of courage". Further controversy was ignited following the MLS Disciplinary Committee's decision to fine Henry with no suspension preceding New York Red Bull's next match against star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy. FC Dallas player Brek Shea, however, was fined $1000, red-carded and suspended for an additional game during the same match.
October
On October 2, the club qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2007. They qualified following a 2–1 victory at Gillette Stadium against the New England.
The regular season ended on a rough patch for the Toros, as they would have to travel for away games against Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake; at the time the first-place and second-place clubs in the league, respectively. The two game-trip ended in a pair of back-to-back losses for Dallas on October 17 and 23, and ultimately ended their chance for winning the Supporters' Shield.
Amid controversy surrounding the playoff's format,[3] Dallas was the third seed Western Conference bracket, drawn against the second-place West club and MLS Cup defending champions, Real Salt Lake.
The Conference Semifinals served as a two-leg, home and away aggregate series with no away goals rule enforced. Dallas hosted Salt Lake on October 30. Despite an early goal from Fabian Espindola in the fifth-minute, the Toros would rally with a pair of goals from Jeff Cunningham and Eric Avila, giving not only them victory, but a lead in the a series.
November
The first leg of the quarterfinals was played at FC Dallas' home ground Pizza Hut Park on October 30, in the northern Dallas suburb of Frisco. Early in the match, Salt Lake striker Fabián Espíndola bagged a fifth-minute goal to give the visitors a critical away goal and a 1–0 lead in the match and on aggregate. The team rebounded from the setback thanks to a 44th-minute equalizer from Jeff Cunningham. Shortly into the second half, things looked more promising for Dallas when a dangerous sliding tackle in the 49th minute from Salt Lake's midfielder Javier Morales resulted in an immediate red-card ejection from the match, resulting in the Royals having to play a man down. Kittian international, Atiba Harris was ejected in the 88th minute, causing a 10 vs. 10 match for the final two minutes before injury time. While things were looking to stay on parity for the first leg, a last-minute goal from Dallas' Eric Avila gave the Toros a needed 2–1 victory over RSL.[4]
Our midfield has been tremendous this year. We're getting the best out of Daniel Hernandez. He's not just the anchor back in the middle third, but he's also the captain of the team as well, a bit of an inspirational player and also my right hand on the field.
—Schellas Hyndman, FC Dallas head coach[5]
Dallas traveled out to Salt Lake City to take on the Royals for the second leg on November 6. Although Dallas had a 2–1 aggregate lead, they were playing in Rio Tinto Stadium, considered by many[who?] to be one of the most intimidating soccer atmospheres in the United States, where Salt Lake hadn't lost a match since May 2009. The match drew a near-capacity crowd of roughly 19,500 spectators. In the 17th minute of the match, a goal from Dallas midfielder and American international Dax McCarty gave the Toros a 3–1 lead on aggregate and a 1–0 lead for the match. For a majority of the match, deep into the second half, Dallas held this lead. A late equalizer from Robbie Findley leveled the game at 1–1, but it was too little, too late for RSL as the Dallas eliminated the defending champions, 3–1 on aggregate.[6]
November 6's victory over Salt Lake propelled Dallas into the Western Conference finals against the MLS Cup runners-up from last year, Los Angeles Galaxy. Heralding international superstars such as David Beckham and Landon Donovan, the Galaxy were coming off a run in the regular season, capturing the MLS Supporters' Shield with a 17–7–8 record. The Galaxy had defeated Seattle Sounders FC in their quarterfinal series to qualify for the championship.[7] Since the Galaxy were the top seed in the Western Conference bracket, while Dallas was the third, Los Angeles hosted the final.[8]
In front of a sold-out capacity crowd of 27,000 at the Galaxy's home ground The Home Depot Center, Dallas dismantled the Galaxy with goals from David Ferreira, George John and Marvin Chávez. The 3–0 victory for Dallas avenged their 2–0 loss at the Home Depot Center, and they handed the Galaxy their worst loss at home since a 4–1 defeat to the Puerto Rico Islanders in a Champions League play-in proper. The victory gave Dallas a spot in their first ever MLS Cup final.[9][10]
The MLS Cup final was held on Sunday, November 21, 2010, in Toronto, Canada. The match between the Colorado Rapids and the FC Dallas Bulls kicked off at 8:30 pm EST. The final began slowly with the first goal not coming until the 35th minute. A strike from FC Dallas midfielder David Ferriera gave the Bulls a 1–0 advantage. The equalizer came from Colorado Rapids forward Conor Casey in the 56th minute. The game-winning goal came by way of a deflected shot from Colorado Rapids forward Macoumba Kandji. Kandji's shot deflected off the leg of FC Dallas defender George John and trickled into the net past keeper, Kevin Hartman. Rapids head coach Gary Smith commented following the victory, "Honestly, I don't mind how they come. If they're winners, it doesn't matter. The overriding thought is they must be under some pressure to make that mistake."[11]
Transfers
In
| Date | Player | Previous Club | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 14, 2010 |  Zach Loyd | Unattached | Drafted | [12] |
| January 14, 2010 | Andrew Wiedeman | NorCal Lamorinda United | Drafted | [12] |
| January 14, 2010 | Jason Yeisley | Reading Rage | Drafted | [12] |
| March 8, 2010 | Kevin Hartman | Kansas City | Trade | [13] |
| May 13, 2010 |  Milton Rodríguez | Real Cartagena | Undisclosed | [14] |
Out
| Date | Player | Destination Club | Fee | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 16, 2009 |  Daniel Torres | Released | [15] | |
| February 2, 2010 | Blake Wagner |  Vancouver Whitecaps | Free | [16] |
| March 1, 2010 |  Pablo Ricchetti | Westham Azzurri | Free | [17] |
| March 5, 2010 |  Dave van den Bergh | Released | [18] | |
| April 2, 2010 | Steve Purdy | Portland Timbers | Free | [19] |
| July 30, 2010 | Anthony Wallace | Colorado Rapids | Trade | [20] |
| August 31, 2010 |  André Rocha |  Panetolikos | Released | [21] |
Loan
In
| Player | From | Start | End | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Álvaro Sánchez | San Carlos | August 1, 2009 | March 15, 2010 | |
 Marvin Chávez | Marathón | August 18, 2009 | November 30, 2010 | [22] |
| Jackson | São Paulo | August 13, 2010 | December 31, 2010 | [23] |
Out
Major League Soccer
Standings
Conference
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LA Galaxy | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 44 | 26 | +18 | 59 | MLS Cup Playoffs |
| 2 | Real Salt Lake | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 45 | 20 | +25 | 56 | |
| 3 | FC Dallas | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 42 | 28 | +14 | 50 | |
| 4 | Seattle Sounders FC | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 39 | 35 | +4 | 48 | |
| 5 | Colorado Rapids | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 46 | |
| 6 | San Jose Earthquakes | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 34 | 33 | +1 | 46 | |
| 7 | Houston Dynamo | 30 | 9 | 15 | 6 | 40 | 49 | −9 | 33 | |
| 8 | Chivas USA | 30 | 8 | 18 | 4 | 31 | 45 | −14 | 28 |
Overall
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LA Galaxy (S) | 30 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 44 | 26 | +18 | 59 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 2 | Real Salt Lake | 30 | 15 | 4 | 11 | 45 | 20 | +25 | 56 | |
| 3 | New York Red Bulls | 30 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 38 | 29 | +9 | 51 | |
| 4 | FC Dallas | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 42 | 28 | +14 | 50 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 5 | Columbus Crew | 30 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 40 | 34 | +6 | 50 | |
| 6 | Seattle Sounders FC | 30 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 39 | 35 | +4 | 48 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 7 | Colorado Rapids (C) | 30 | 12 | 8 | 10 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 46 | |
| 8 | San Jose Earthquakes | 30 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 34 | 33 | +1 | 46 | |
| 9 | Kansas City Wizards | 30 | 11 | 13 | 6 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 39 | |
| 10 | Chicago Fire | 30 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 37 | 38 | −1 | 36 | |
| 11 | Toronto FC | 30 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 33 | 41 | −8 | 35 | CONCACAF Champions League |
| 12 | Houston Dynamo | 30 | 9 | 15 | 6 | 40 | 49 | −9 | 33 | |
| 13 | New England Revolution | 30 | 9 | 16 | 5 | 32 | 50 | −18 | 32 | |
| 14 | Philadelphia Union | 30 | 8 | 15 | 7 | 35 | 49 | −14 | 31 | |
| 15 | Chivas USA | 30 | 8 | 18 | 4 | 31 | 45 | −14 | 28 | |
| 16 | D.C. United | 30 | 6 | 20 | 4 | 21 | 47 | −26 | 22 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head record; 3) goal difference; 4) number of goals scored
(C) Champions; (S) Supporters' Shield
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | Pts | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD |
| 30 | 50 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 42 | 28 | +14 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 25 | 13 | +12 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 15 | +2 |
Last updated: March 30, 2011
Source: Major League Soccer
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; L = Loss; T = Tie
Match results
Regular season
Win Tie Loss
| March 27, 2010 1 Texas Derby | Houston Dynamo | 1–1 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas USA |
Chabala  36'Boswell  57' | [24] | McCarty 32' Harris 38'Harris 45' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 8,016 Referee: Alex Prus |
| April 10, 2010 2 Pioneer Cup | Columbus Crew | 2–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas USA |
| Moffat 52' Carroll 55'Schelotto 82' (pen.)O'Rourke  98+' | (report) | Cunningham 29' (pen.) Pearce 61'Avila 98+' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 8,422 Referee: Jason Anno |
| April 17, 2010 3 | FC Dallas | 1–2 | New York Red Bulls | Harrison, New Jersey |
| 19:30 EDT | 10' McCarty 24' Harris | (Report) | Ángel 56' 90' (pen.) | Stadium: Red Bull Arena Attendance: 13,667 Referee: Alex Prus |
| April 22, 2010 4 | Seattle Sounders FC | 2–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas USA |
| 17:00 PDT | Marshall 21' Zakuani 37'Montero 44' 55' | Report | John 7' Cunningham 27' (pen.)Cunningham 94+' (pen.) | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 8,512 Referee: Terry Vaughn |
| May 1, 2010 5 | FC Dallas | 1–1 | New England Revolution | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| 19:30 EDT | Benitez 25' John 42' Sala 42' McCarty 62' Harris 66' 78' | (report) | Sinovic 14' Schilawski 41' Dube 56' Niouky 65' 72' Nyassi 77' Perovic 92+' Burpo 95+' | Stadium: Gillette Stadium Attendance: 10,057 Referee: Jeff Gontarek |
| May 5, 2010 6 Texas Derby | FC Dallas | 1–0 | Houston Dynamo | Houston, Texas |
| 21:00 EDT | Hernández 45' Benítez 73'Ihemelu 78' | Report | Hainault 50' | Stadium: Robertson Stadium Attendance: 13,231 Referee: Jorge González |
| May 8, 2010 7 | D.C. United | 0–1 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Morsink 43' | Report | Hernández 39' Cunningham 68'Ihemelu 75' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,323 Referee: Landis Wiley |
| May 15, 2010 8 | FC Dallas | 1–1 | Philadelphia Union | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Shea 13' Pearce 83' | Report | Torres 62' Mwanga 93' | Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field Attendance: 25,038 Referee: Ricardo Salazar |
| May 20, 2010 9 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 1–0 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Magee 17' Magee 31' Stephens 35' | Report | Ihemelu 28' Shea 48' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,947 Referee: Abiodun Okulaja |
| May 27, 2010 10 Brimstone Cup | FC Dallas | 1–1 | Chicago Fire | Bridgeview, Illinois |
| Ferreira 6' Harris 84' | Report | McBride 40' Conde 62' | Stadium: Toyota Park Attendance: 12,522 Referee: Baldomero Toledo |
| June 5, 2010 11 | San Jose Earthquakes | 0–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Hernandez 70' | Report | Shea 58', 60' John 68' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 14,331 Referee: Jasen Anno |
| June 26, 2010 12 | FC Dallas | 2–1 | Chivas USA | Carson, California |
| Jazic 45' (o.g.) Ferreira 61'Guarda 71' | Report | Lahoud 1' Romero 59' | Stadium: Home Depot Center Attendance: 14,173 Referee: Abbey Okulaja |
| July 3, 2010 13 | Kansas City Wizards | 0–1 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Rocastle 60' Espinoza 63' | Report | Ferreira 58' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 15,993 Referee: Ramón Hernández |
| July 11, 2010 14 | FC Dallas | 1–1 | Seattle Sounders FC | Seattle |
| Ferreira 34' 87' Hernández 49'Shea 56'McCarty 76'Pearce 84' | [25] | Montero 17' González 50'Montaño 56' | Stadium: Qwest Field Attendance: 36,091 Referee: Kevin Stott |
| July 17, 2010 15 | Real Salt Lake | 0–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Johnson 42' | [26] | Ihemulu 40' Ferreira 68' Shea 69' Harris 77' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 11,170 |
| July 24, 2010 16 | FC Dallas | 1–1 | Toronto FC | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Hernández 21' Rodríguez 77'Benítez 96+' | (report) | De Rosario 17' Sanyang 23'Cann 39'Santos 61' | Stadium: BMO Field Attendance: 19,743 Referee: Edvin Jurisevic |
| July 31, 2010 17 | FC Dallas | 1–1 | Colorado Rapids | Commerce City, Colorado USA |
| Baudet 22' (o.g.) Chávez 77' | [27] | Ballouchy 26' | Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 10,596 Referee: Alex Prus |
| August 8, 2010 18 | Philadelphia Union | 1–3 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Moreno 9' Knighton 22' | Ferreira 24' Cunningham 75' 81' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 8,732 Referee: Jair Marrufo |
| August 14, 2010 19 | FC Dallas | 3–1 | D.C. United | Washington, D.C. |
| Rodríguez 23' Ferreira 24' Alexander 49' Cunningham 90+2' | Burch 69' Benitez 80' (o.g.) | Stadium: RFK Stadium Attendance: 12474 Referee: Abiodun Okulaja |
| August 21, 2010 20 | Chivas USA | 0–1 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Padilla 79' Nagamura 89' | [28] | Harris 34' Shea 71' Hernández 79' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,309 Referee: Paul Ward |
| August 28, 2010 21 Pioneer Cup | FC Dallas | 0–0 | Columbus Crew | Columbus, Ohio |
| 4:00 pm ET | Loyd 40' Hernández 77'Harris 85' | Report | Moffat 28' Barros Schelotto 77' | Stadium: Columbus Crew Stadium Referee: Andrew Chapin |
| September 4, 2010 22 | Toronto FC | 0–1 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| 7:30 pm CT | LaBrocca 46+' Šarić 15'  89' | Report | Cunningham 47' Benítez 90+1' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,033 Referee: Alex Prus |
| September 11, 2010 23 | FC Dallas | 0–0 | San Jose Earthquakes | Santa Clara, California |
| Alexander 42' | [29] | Eduardo 88' | Stadium: Buck Shaw Stadium Attendance: 10,341 Referee: Ricardo Salazar |
| September 16, 2010 24 | New York Red Bulls | 2–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| Miller 41' Ballouchy 48+'Henry 48'Benitez 82' (o.g.)Ballouchy 90+4' | [30] | Rodriguez 42' Shea 29'Alexander 68'Chávez 86' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 15,105 Referee: Hilario Grajeda |
| September 22, 2010 25 | New England Revolution | 2–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| 8:30 pm EDT | Joseph 5' Gibbs 17'Barnes 33'Stolica 61'Phelan 90' | Report | Ferreira 80' (pen.) Cunningham 90' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 7,468 Referee: Baldomero Toledo |
| September 25, 2010 26 | FC Dallas | 3–1 | Kansas City Wizards | Kansas City, Kansas |
| 7:30 pm CDT | Chávez 4' Rodríguez 12'Pearce 37'McCarty 74'Cunningham 81'Harris 85'Ferreira 86' | Report | Harrington 32' Smith 56'Jewsbury 76' | Stadium: CommunityAmerica Ballpark Attendance: 10,385 Referee: Silviu Petrescu |
| October 2, 2010 27 Brimstone Cup | Chicago Fire | 0–3 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| 7:30 pm CDT | Pause 28' Conde 84' | Report | Rodriguez 19' Chávez 30' 46'Cunningham 67' (p.k.) | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,615 Referee: Alex Prus |
| October 9, 2010 28 | Colorado Rapids | 2–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| 7:00 pm CDT | Larentowicz 13', 51' | Report | Rodriguez 27' Ferreira 37' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 10,119 Referee: Paul Ward |
| October 16, 2010 29 | FC Dallas | 0–2 | Real Salt Lake | Sandy, Utah |
| Pearce 88' | Grabavoy 59' Espindola 75'Williams 80'Morales 89' | Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium Attendance: 20,236 Referee: Baldomero Toledo |
| October 24, 2010 30 | FC Dallas | 1–2 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Carson, California |
| 24' 45' Harris | Beckham 33' Juninho 46'Donovan 58' | Stadium: Home Depot Center Referee: Mark Geiger |
Playoffs
FC Dallas qualified for the 2010 MLS Cup playoffs following a 2–1 victory at New England on October 2. Amid the controversy surrounding the playoff structure,[3] Dallas was seeded as the number three team in the Western Conference bracket, drawn against the second-place West club and MLS Cup defending champions, Real Salt Lake. The draw took place at Major League Soccer's headquarters in New York City on October 24.
The Conference Semifinals served as a two-leg, home and away aggregate series with no away goals rule enforced. Dallas hosted Salt Lake on October 30. Despite an early goal from Fabian Espindola in the fifth-minute, Dallas would rally with a pair of goals from Jeff Cunningham and Eric Avila, giving not only them victory, but a lead in the a series.
RSL and Dallas played at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on November 6 for the second leg. A 17th-minute goal from Dax McCarty gave Dallas a 3–1 advantage in the series, and not only jeopardized Salt Lake's chance for going on the Western Conference Championship, but the chance that Salt Lake would end their home-match unbeaten streak. A goal from Robbie Findley ensured the streak would stay alive, but the tie secured Dallas a spot in the Western Conference Championship, as Dallas would advance 3–2 on aggregate.[31]
Dallas played in Los Angeles against the Galaxy for the Western Conference Championship. Dallas shutout LA 3–0, becoming the final original MLS club to make it to the MLS Cup.
Dallas took an early lead over the Colorado Rapids in the MLS Cup, but the Rapids came back to score a goal in the second half and forced overtime. Early into overtime, a cross deflected off of Dallas defender George John and into Dallas' net. Despite several late chances for Dallas, the Rapids held on, win the MLS Cup 2–1 off the overtime own goal.
| October 30, 2010 Conf. Semifinals | Real Salt Lake | 1–2 | FC Dallas | Frisco, Texas |
| 3:00 pm MDT | Espindola 5' Williams 46'Morales 49' | Report | Benitez 25' Cunningham 44'Hernández 49'Harris Avila 88' | Stadium: Pizza Hut Park Attendance: 11,003 Referee:  Kevin Stott |
| November 6, 2010 Conf. Semifinals | FC Dallas | 1–1 (3–2 agg.) | Real Salt Lake | Sandy, Utah |
| 8:00 pm MDT | McCarty 17' Chávez 27'Loyd 84' | Report | Olave 25' Grabavoy 29'Borchers 34'Findley 79' | Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium Attendance: 19,234 Referee:  Jorge Gonzalez |
| November 14, 2010 Conf. Final | FC Dallas | 3–0 | Los Angeles Galaxy | Carson, California |
| 8:00 pm CDT | Ferreira 26' John 54'Chávez 73'Loyd 85' | Report | Kovalenko 37' Beckham 73'Birchall 82'dos Santos 84' | Stadium: Home Depot Center Attendance: 27,000 Referee: Jair Maruffo |
U.S. Open Cup
With an 11th-place finish in Major League Soccer last season, Dallas did not automatically qualify for the 2010 edition of the U.S. Open Cup. Instead, they would have to qualify in a series of matches against unqualified MLS clubs to enter the tournament. They were paired against last year's 10th-place finisher, D.C. United; where they played the United at RFK Stadium on April 28.
Goals from Bruno Guarda and Dax McCarty would not be enough as Dallas would fall 4–2 to the United to end their short USOC campaign.
Jerseys
          Home |  Away | Away Alternate |  Away Alt. 2 |
| Type | Shirt | Shorts | Socks | First appearance / Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | Red / White hoops | Red | Red | |
| Away | Blue / White hoops | Blue | Blue | |
| Away Alt. | Blue / White hoops | Blue | White | MLS, May 5 against Houston / MLS Cup 2010 |
| Away Alt. 2 | Blue / White hoops | White | White | MLS, June 26 against Chivas USA → 2008 Away Shorts |
Squad
As of August 21, 2010.[32]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | DF | USA | Kyle Davies |
| 16 | FW |  SKN | Atiba Harris |
| 17 | MF |  BIH | Perica Marošević |
| 18 | FW | HON | Marvin Chávez (on loan from Marathón) |
| 19 | DF | USA | Zach Loyd |
| 20 | FW | USA | Brek Shea |
| 21 | MF |  MEX | Bryan Leyva |
| 22 | GK | USA | Josh Lambo |
| 23 | FW | USA | Andrew Wiedeman |
| 24 | DF | USA | Eric Alexander |
| 26 | DF | USA | Anthony Wallace |
| 27 | DF | CAN | Edson Edward |
| 31 | FW | USA | Jason Yeisley |
| 44 | GK | ARG | Darío Sala |
Formation
4–5–1 formation against Real Salt Lake on Nov. 6
Notes
