Minnesota United hold off FC Dallas attack in narrow win

Anthony Markanich scored in the 32nd minute Wednesday night and visiting Minnesota United shut down FC Dallas for a 1-0 victory to extend its winning streak to four matches.

Minnesota (5-2-2, 17 points) maintained a tight defensive shell against one of the best offenses in MLS. While Dallas (3-2-4, 13 points) owned a 16-5 advantage in shots, it got just three shots on target.

Meanwhile, Minnesota compensated with a slight edge in possession and took advantage of one of its few quality chances. Markanich collected the ball off Owen Gene's crossing pass and tried a shot that Michael Collodi denied. But the rebound bounced right back to Markanich and he poked it between Collodi and the left post.

Dallas' attack intensified down the stretch, even with MLS goal-scoring leader Petar Musa departing in the 70th minute after appearing to come down with leg cramps. Musa scored nine goals in the first eight fixtures but was limited to two shots, none on net, as Minnesota marked him tightly.

Drake Callender logged a clean sheet for Minnesota. He came up with two first-half stops when he deflected Sebastian Ibeagha's header just over the crossbar in the 6th minute, then tipped Shaq Moore's lefty shot off the post and back towards the right flank in the 25th minute.

Logan Farrington created a couple of dangerous chances after entering the pitch in the 62nd minute for Dallas. His bid for an equalizer in the 79th minute was stopped by Callender and his 88th-minute attempt was flagged for offside.

Near the end of stoppage time in the second half, Dallas created a corner kick and ran Collodi into the middle of the field to help tilt the odds in its favor. But Callender came off his line aggressively and gloved the ball just before time expired.

The result improved Minnesota to 4-0-1 in its last matches and ended Dallas' five-match unbeaten streak. It was also Dallas' first loss at home, where it's now 2-1-4.

--Field Level Media