Western Conference winners Dallas have missed out on securing the Supporters Shield on goal difference despite ending their MLS regular season with a 2-1 victory over 10-man San Jose Earthquakes.
Dallas came into the match knowing that they had to better New York Red Bulls' result at Chicago Fire in order to finish top of the overall standings, but while Red Bulls won the Texans could only manage a point to bring their title challenge to a close.
It was Earthquakes, needing to win and for results to go their way in order to make the playoffs, who should have opened the scoring when Quincy Amarikwa failed to beat Jesse Gonzalez from 12 yards.
Just two minutes later, however, the forward gave the visitors hope when he beat the Dallas defence and fired past Gonzalez after 13 minutes to ensure that his side's qualification hopes remained alive.
San Jose top scorer Chris Wondolowski had a close-range header saved and Matias Perez Garcia saw his shot from distance blocked as the away side looked to extend their advantage, but Mauro Diaz equalised for the hosts seven minutes before the break when he converted from Fabian Castillo's fine pass.
Both sides had chances to put themselves in front in the early stages of the second half, but when Perez Garcia was shown red for hitting out at Diaz, the hosts were handed the initiative.
However, it took until 11 minutes from time for Dallas to take the lead in fortuitous circumstances, when Clarence Goodson's attempted clearance bounced straight to Victor Ulloa 15 yards out, and the midfielder made no mistake.
Dallas clung on for a fourth win in five games but it was ultimately in vain as Red Bulls edged past Chicago to bring home the Shield.
Tom Nightingale
