New York Red Bulls bounce FC Dallas from 2011 MLS Playoffs

There were no surprises at Pizza Hut Park Wednesday night as the New York Red Bulls bounced defending Western Conference champions FC Dallas from the 2011 MLS playoffs. It just wasn't the performance needed to win a playoff match and New York took advantage of a weary FC Dallas side. The long haul of playing deep into the US Open Cup along with the CONCACAF Champions League took its toll.

FC Dallas came out flying putting intense pressure on NYRB. Some sloppy finishing left them with nothing to show for the opening 25 minutes and FCD's play declined from there. Jackson missed two wonderful opportunities to put the home side in front only to come up empty.

The second half saw New York capitalize and pounce. The visitors took the lead at the hour mark when Ballouchy slipped a good square ball into the FCD penalty area that found Joel Lindpere who slipped it under Kevin Hartmann for the lead.

FC Dallas went on the attack from there, but really couldn't get anything terribly dangerous. An ugly tackle from Jolil Jan Gunnar left the Red Bulls with 10 men, but FC Dallas also went down to 10 men minutes later when Zach Loyd went off injured and the team had already used their three substitutions.

Thierry Henry would ice the match at the death as he finished against a defense that was pushing up at all coasts. New York now faces the LA Galaxy in the two legged series of heavyweights beginning Saturday in New York. The Red Bulls will be a bit shorthanded though as Gunnar will be suspended and Dax McCarty is doubtful with an ankle injury.