Dynamo and Dallas play to scoreless draw in Texas Derby
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
Coming off Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win, the Dynamo returned to league play for a Texas Derby with FC Dallas. With both team’s battling for a playoff spot in the Western Conference, this match took on even more importance. It turned into a typical derby, with both teams playing defensive and not letting anything through. Both teams take a point after the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
The first half saw both teams battling on both ends of the field. A Teenage Hadebe led to a chance for Jesus Ferreira in the 3rd minute but the US international skied the shot over the bar. Ivan Franco had a similar fate with Houston’s first good chance in the 23rd minute, curling a ball just over. Houston would have two more chances in a matter of minutes. Brad Smith first went wide on a right-footed effort in the 33rd minute. A scramble in front led to a Franco shot tipped off a defender and over in the 35th minute. The visitors had another chance before the break but Teenage Hadebe headed a ball off the line in the 42nd minute.
With the teams tied 0-0, the second half saw more of the same. Ben Olsen brought Nelson Quinones and Coco Carrasquilla on for Ivan Franco and Brad Smith. The Dynamo’s best chance came in the 65th minute when Carrasquilla chipped a ball into the path of Franco Escobar. Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes came off his line quickly and was able to smother Escobar’s effort.
The Dynamo had one last nig chance to steal the three points but it wasn’t to be. Moments before that, Hadebe tracked back to head a ball in on goal toward Paxton Pomykal. Houston countered the other way, in the 88th minute, and Amine Bassi picked out a perfect pass into the box to Carrasquilla. The Panamanian laced a shot on goal but Paes got the slightest of touches to tip it over.
Next up for the Dynamo is a trip north of the border for a Wednesday night meeting with CF Montreal. Houston will return next weekend for their final home match, taking on the Colorado Rapids.
