08:25 PM CDT on Friday, June 23, 2006

By DAVID HINOJOSA / The Dallas Morning News

The last time FC Dallas returned from a lengthy layoff, the result was a listless, uninspired effort in a home loss to Columbus.

Coach Colin Clarke said he hopes his team can avoid a similar performance tonight when it plays for the first time in nearly two weeks.

"For the most part, you'd like to keep things going and flowing," said Clarke, whose team hosts Colorado at Frisco's Pizza Hut Park. "I'm not a big lover of the time off, but it's something you need to deal with. It was nice to give the boys a break. Hopefully, they'll come up refreshed because a hard part of the schedule is coming up."

FC Dallas had a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1) and a 10-day layoff before Columbus posted a 2-1 victory on June 3. Clarke couldn't pinpoint any specifics as to why his team played with so little energy.

"The last time we had a great week of practice, and we still lost to Columbus," Clarke said.

Midfielder Richard Mulrooney added: "We lost our fighting spirit and then took on the chin against Columbus. I think we learned our lesson last time."

FC Dallas has played twice in June. However, that scheduling trend is changing. Tonight's match will be the first of five games in a 15-day span. It includes a trip to New England on Wednesday and to Carson, Calif., to play Chivas USA on Saturday.

FC Dallas thriving in close games: Among the reasons FC Dallas sits atop the MLS Western Conference standings is its performance in close games. FC Dallas is 6-2 in games decided by one goal. Only one match, a 4-0 victory against New England on May 20, has been decided by more than one goal.

"I've been on the losing end of plenty of one-goal games, and it's frustrating," Mulrooney said.

Last season, FC Dallas was 7-7 in one-goal games.

Ruiz seeks scoring record: If Carlos Ruiz scores tonight, he'll extend his MLS record for consecutive games with a goal to eight. Ruiz shares the record with Wolde Harris (2000, New England) and Raul Diaz Arce (1997, DC United).

E-mail dhinojosa@dallasnews.com

FCD is tied with DC United with most home wins (6).

FCD's Carlos Ruiz (8, T-2) and Kenny Cooper (5, T-7) are among MLS goal leaders.

FCD is 12-4-2 vs. Colorado at home.

FC Dallas has focused on maintaining better possession.

Rapids D and Allen native Hunter Freeman has started in 11 of 12 games.

FCD MF Ramon Nunez (ankle sprain) is out.

Colorado (5-4-3) at FC Dallas (7-2-3), 7:30 p.m. today, Pizza Hut Park, Frisco (FSNSW, KXEB-AM 990, KFCD-AM 910 in Spanish)