Marco Pappa’s goal in the 63rd minute lifted the Chicago Fire to a 2-1 MLS victory over FC Dallas on Wednesday night. If only it were that simple.

The Fire was awarded a penalty kick when Pappa was taken down. On the penalty, Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman stopped Sebastian Grazzini’s attempt. Pappa converted the rebound but was several yards inside the box when Grazzini struck the ball — clear encroachment. The goal should not have counted and Dallas should’ve been awarded an indirect free kick, right?

Our story doesn’t end there, though. When you watch the video below, keep a close eye on the final replay. It shows Matt Hedges of Dallas entering the box early as well. Not as early as Pappa, but early nonetheless. In this case, according to FIFA rules, referee Hilario Grajeda should’ve disallowed the goal and instructed Grazzini to take the kick again.

That said, dual infractions don’t absolve egregious officiating.

(Thanks to Twitter follower ArsenalFire for assistance.)

Thoughts?

Judging by the LivingSocial offers promoting reduced-priced tickets, one might conclude the U.S. national soccer team’s friendly against Brazil on May 30 is going to be a box-office bust. Club seats are available for half-price and lower-level packages can be gotten at considerable discount.

According to the U.S. Soccer Federation, however, more than 53,000 tickets have been sold, putting this match on pace to become the largest turnout for a U.S. men’s or women’s appearance in the Washington area in history and the third biggest for a USA-Brazil men’s game nationally.

*MLS clubs now know their first opponents in the U.S. Open Cup following 16 second-round matches Tuesday. D.C. United will visit the third-division Richmond Kickers, who defeated the amateur Aegean Hawks, 4-0, at Maryland SoccerPlex. United, which has two victories and a defeat to the Kickers in the Open Cup since 2004, will play at 7 p.m. next Tuesday at Richmond City Stadium.

The biggest surprise of the tournament (and another reason this event is cool): Cal FC, an amateur team coached by former U.S. national team star Eric Wynalda. After defeating a fourth-division side in the first round, Cal went on the road to crush the third-tier Wilmington Hammerheads, 4-0, and earn a trip to Portland to face MLS’s Timbers. [Full story here.]

*It’s been feast or famine for United’s Hamdi Salihi this season. My feature story chronicles his recent scoring surge and explores his adaptation to a new league and culture.

D.C. United midfielder Danny Cruz will miss about four weeks after injuring his right hamstring in the first half of a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday night at RFK Stadium, club officials said Tuesday.

The setback is softened by the fact that United is approaching a three-week break in the MLS regular season. So Cruz will probably miss just three league matches: Saturday against the New England Revolution, June 16 at the Philadelphia Union and June 24 at the New York Red Bulls.

During the league lull, United (7-4-3) is scheduled to play one or two games in the U.S. Open Cup, a tournament involving teams from all levels of American soccer.

Cruz, a right wing, has started 10 league matches this season, with one goal and two assists.

Much more.....

Dwayne De Rosario has scored five times in the past six matches, leaving him two shy of becoming the seventh player in MLS history to hit 100 in his career for regular season matches. If it doesn’t happen Saturday against the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium, the Canadian veteran will have to wait until mid-June, when D.C. United resumes league play after a three-week break.

Of the six ahead of him on the all-time list, only one is active in MLS (Landon Donovan). Jeff Cunningham, the leader at 134, is also active but playing for Comunicaciones in Guatemala.

The list:

Cunningham 134

Jaime Moreno 133

Donovan 117

Ante Razov 114

Jason Kreis 108

Taylor Twellman 101

De Rosario 98

Edson Buddle 91

Carlos Ruiz 88

Roy Lassiter 88

Much more.....