Dallas fell to Cruz Azul of Mexico 2-1 in their CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup North Group match on March 9. The Burn played much better than in a previous 4-1 trouncing by Necaxa, and was unlucky to trail 1-0 at halftime after normally reliable keeper Mark Dodd misplayed a shot from Hector Altamirano in the 42nd minute. Dante Washington equalized for Dallas in the 56th minute, after a fine through ball from Alain Sutter, but Francisco Palenica scored in the 65th minute to give Cruz Azul the win. Dodd will miss two to four weeks of the 1998 MLS season after breaking the ring finger on his right hand. He suffered the injury in a collision in the 89th minute of the match. Dodd, who has started 68 of Dallas’ 71 MLS games, is expected to miss a minimum of two regular-season matches. 1997 backup Garth Lagerwey and recent draft pick Matt Jordan from Clemson. March 8 in Dallas Dallas (MLS) 1 Cruz Azul (Mexico) 2. Goals: Washington 56; Altamirano 42, Palencia 65. Dallas — Dodd, Farrer, Jorge Rodriguez, Pollard, L.Alvarez, Santel, Flores (Elliott, 70), Sutter, Haynes (Suarez, 75), Kreis, Washington. Cruz Azul — Navarro, Reynoso, M.Gonzalez, Ramirez, Altamirano, Morales, Johan Rodriguez (Resendiz, 86), Galindo (O.Gonzalez, 88), Capria, Guadarrama, Palencia. Att.: 9,015.
North Group Standings
| Team | GP | W | T | L | GF | GA | P |
| Necaxa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Cruz Azul | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Dallas | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 0 |