Ugo Ihemelu scored off a first-half corner kick, and FC Dallas' stout defense did the rest as the MLS side topped Alianza FC, 1-0, for the second consecutive week to win their CONCACAF Champions League preliminary tie on a 2-0 aggregate and advance to the tournament's group stage.
After winning 1-0 in last week's first leg in El Salvador, all FC Dallas had to do was hold serve at home to secure advancement. When Ihemelu connected with Ricardo Villar's 36th-minute set piece, it pinned the Salvadorian side against the ropes. Dallas withstood the ensuing physical onslaught and boiling-hot temperatures to make it to the CCL group stage for the first time in franchise history.
FCD joins fellow MLS side Toronto FC in Group C with Mexico's Pumas UNAM and Panama's Tauro FC.
Highlights of the match are after the jump:
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