SANDY, Utah (AP) — David Texeira scored and FC Dallas beat Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night to clinching the Western Conference title and a berth in the conference semifinals.
FC Dallas (17-10-6) also is contention for the Supporters' Shield as the overall regular-season champion.
After a first half that saw Real Salt Lake (11-14-8) control the action, FC Dallas switched tactics in the second half and the change was dynamic.
Mauro Diaz threaded a long pass to David Texeira racing into the 18-yard box and he fired a shot into the top left corner of the goal in 57th minute — just as rain soaked Rio Tinto Stadium.
A frustrated Real Salt Lake, which had its streak of MLS playoff appearances snapped at seven, was ticketed for five yellow cards, four in the second half.