FC Dallas will go for a third consecutive victory in league play on Saturday when the club travels to Buck Shaw Stadium to face the San Jose Earthquakes.
FCD continued its fine run of form last time out when the club cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win over West rivals the Colorado Rapids at Toyota Stadium.
The game was in Dallas' favor quickly, as the Texas club scored twice in the first 11 minutes, and they added a third early in the second half to seal the victory.
An 86th minute penalty got Colorado on the board and gifted them their first goal in 281 minutes of league play, but it wasn't enough as Oscar Pareja's club came away with all three points.
After some early FC Dallas pressure, Matt Hedges put away a rebound in the ninth minute after a dangerous cross from Michel. A minute later, Colorado defender Marvell Wynne was whistled for fouling Dallas rookie forward Tesho Akindele in the corner the Rapids' penalty area, leading to a penalty kick conversion by Michel to make it 2-0.
Dallas then put the game away in the 56th minute as Michel played provider, putting in a cross to Blas Perez near the Colorado penalty spot. The ball made it through to an onrushing Fabian Castillo from the right wing and the Colombian finished crisply for the final goal.
"We have a tremendous weapon there with Michel," said Pareja. "His left leg is efficient. He made our center backs be very close to score. Thats certainly something we have in our side and I'm glad to have it. He was really efficient today. Three goals and he was a part of all three."
San Jose, meanwhile, is coming off a 2-2 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Aug. 8 in the most recent edition of the California Clasico.
The 'Quakes opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Shea Salinas released Chris Wondolowski down the left side of the pitch on the counter-attack. The United States international made no mistake with the finish, cutting the ball onto his right foot and slamming a shot past Jaime Penedo from a tough angle.
The Galaxy managed to pull level in the 29th minute when Robbie Keane's blocked shot forced Jon Busch out of position, allowing Gyasi Zardes to fire home the rebound at the near post.
But San Jose restored its lead just two minutes later through a well-worked move that saw Wondolowski flick Atiba Harris' pass into the path of Matias Perez Garcia, who marked his MLS debut with a first-time shot from distance that made its way past Penedo.
Los Angeles emerged from the halftime interval and wasted little time in getting back on level terms as Omar Gonzalez nodded home Stefan Ishizaki's corner kick in the 49th minute.
Saturday will San Jose's first match without forward Alan Gordon, who was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for allocation money earlier this week.
Gordon, 32, will head to Southern California as the ninth-leading scorer in San Jose Earthquakes history after tallying 18 goals during his 64 games. He had a career-year in 2012 while helping San Jose to its second MLS Supporters' Shield, posting career bests in goals (13) and assists (7).
"We would like to thank Alan for everything he has done for this club," said Earthquakes general manager John Doyle. "Alan has produced many great moments during his years with the Earthquakes. We wish him well going forward."
This will be the third and final regular-season meeting between the sides the year. San Jose earned 2-1 wins over FCD on May 10 and May 31.
[SportsNetwork.com]
