Frisco, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - It may be just two games into the new Major League Soccer season, but already there are positive vibes coming from both Chivas USA and FC Dallas.
Both sides failed to qualify for the playoffs in the Western Conference last season, but both have claimed four points from their first two games this term and bring confidence into their clash at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
Chivas notched a 3-2 win over Chicago in its opener before grinding out a 1-1 draw with Vancouver last weekend that saw the Goats play more than 75 minutes with 10 men after Agustin Pelletieri's early red card.
A goal from Erick Torres on the stroke of halftime had Chivas in front, but the Whitecaps scored nine minutes from time through Kekuta Manneh to equalize.
Three points would have been a nice accomplishment for Chivas, yet goalkeeper Dan Kennedy felt his side made the most of a tough situation and showed plenty of character.
"We were able to put it behind us and make the most of the situation," Kennedy said following the match. "That's really what you have to do. If we could keep this mentality over the course of the season, continue to build this a little bit, we're going to be in good shape."
After playing its first two games at home, Chivas will face its first road test on Saturday, which is another obstacle that must be overcome for the team to contend. Last year Chivas won just one of its 17 games away from the StubHub Center.
Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja is also in a confident mood following a 3-2 win over Montreal and 1-1 draw at last season's MLS Cup champions, Sporting Kansas City.
FCD fell behind to a goal in the 81st minute from Sporting's Aurelien Collin, but battled back to salvage a draw with Matt Hedges scoring just before the final whistle.
"After the goal [by] Collin, we showed heart, and that's what I'm very proud of tonight," said Pareja after the contest. "We showed heart and we showed character and I know these players and our team is fated to do big things this year."
Dallas will play four of its next five games at Toyota Stadium, where the club won nine of 17 matches last season, giving FCD a good opportunity to keep that positive momentum going.
[SportsNetwork.com]
