After couple of offensive duds, West leaders face league-best D.C. United

11:10 PM CDT on Monday, July 3, 2006

By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News

FRISCO – Today's game with D.C. United is one that should have FC Dallas' full attention, and not because July Fourth and fireworks.

FC Dallas needs to look no further than United's league-best 10-1-5 record. FC Dallas is just behind at 8-4-3, and each team leads its respective conference. In short, it's a midseason showdown between title contenders.

"There are very few games, actually, in the MLS regular season that really capture your attention and are considered big games," defender Greg Vanney said. "This is one of those."

The game is even more important for an FC Dallas team coming off a dreary, cross-country road trip. FCD failed to score against New England and Chivas USA.

"It's a good occasion for the boys to put things right," coach Colin Clarke said. "It's a big game, against a good team, and we've got to be sharp and on our toes."

If not, the result could be the same as Saturday's 3-0 loss to Chivas USA. Although FC Dallas came out of the 1-0 loss to New England feeling it could have won, the loss to Chivas was a low point of the season.

FC Dallas gave up two goals on corner kicks and allowed a third goal before halftime.

"That's just sheer concentration," Vanney said of the two goals scored on set pieces.

The silver lining from the road trip cloud might be that rookie forward Dominic Oduro made his MLS debut. In 51 minutes of action against New England and Chivas USA, Oduro took three shots and put two of them on goal.

Clarke said Oduro, who is from Ghana, earned playing time after working hard on individual skills.

"He'll get plenty of more time," Clarke said. "He's got pace. He gets past people."

Finishing once he gets past people is Oduro's biggest hurdle.

"All I need is one goal, and I think the confidence will come back," Oduro said. "All I need is my first goal."

Any goal would be welcomed by FC Dallas after being shut out twice in a row. Not having to play from behind early would be a relief as well. The trick will be to do it against a team that's looking down on the rest of the MLS.

Briefly: Today's game is part of Frisco Freedom Fest, which begins with a festival at 4 p.m. at the stadium's north entrance. The festival is free and parking is $5. After the game, music acts Everlife and Kool & the Gang will perform, followed by a fireworks show. ... Fans are also welcome to watch the World Cup semifinal between Italy and Germany in the stadium's Verizon Wireless Club, beginning at 2 p.m. Admission is free, but fans staying for the MLS game must have a ticket. ... MF Ramon Nunez (quad strain) and MF Dax McCarty (groin) are out with injuries. D Alex Yi will miss the game to attend to personal matters.

E-mail kwhitmire@dallasnews.com

D.C. United (10-1-5) at FC Dallas (8-4-3), 5 p.m. today, Pizza Hut Park, Frisco (KXEB-AM 910, KTNO-AM 1440 in Spanish)

•Last week was the first time FC Dallas failed to score in consecutive games since late in the 2004 season.

•The scoreless stretch of 238 minutes ranks sixth in the MLS this season.

•D.C. United has won three in a row and hasn't lost in 10 games.

•D.C. United has won three in a row and hasn't lost in 10 games.

•This is the last meeting of the season between the conference leaders. The teams tied, 1-1, on April 29 at D.C. United.

•D.C. United's 3-2 win Wednesday at Kansas City was its fourth game in 12 days. FC Dallas is playing its fourth game in 11 days.

•D.C. United (10-1-5) at FC Dallas (8-4-3), 5 p.m. today, Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, (KXEB-AM 910, KTNO-AM 1440 in Spanish)