DALLAS -- After flirting around with first place in the World Indoor Soccer League for the first half of the season, the expansion Utah Freezz are in the midst of a reality check following defending league champion Dallas's 9-3 rout of them Sunday night.
It was the Freezz's fourth straight loss and really puts a dent in their playoff hopes now that they're 7-7 and in fifth place. Dallas improves to 10-5.Dallas jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Myles Stoddard finally got Utah on the board with 17 seconds left in the first half. The Sidekicks bumped their lead up to 7-1 before Sterling Wescott netted a third quarter goal. Brighton High alumnus Justin Labrum scored Utah's final goal.
Utah actually outshot the Sidekick 34-21, but Dallas' shots all came within close range after team members patiently passed the ball around Utah's defense.
David Doyle led Dallas with four goals, while Tatu added three assists.
Utah's last win was a 6-5 thriller back on Sept. 17 at home against Dallas. Since then the Freezz have had two blowout losses on the road and two games in which they've blown 3-0 first-half leads. With eight games remaining, Utah coach Dave Poggi is running out of time to get the youthful Freezz playing with confidence again.