Houston Dynamo FC split points with in-state rival FC Dallas tonight, as the 45th regular season edition of the Texas Derby ended in a 1-1- draw. A late equalizer from Dynamo forward Thor Úlfarsson saw the visitors return home with their second road point of the season.
Dallas took the lead in the 53rd minute off a free kick. A cross was played toward the back post and Facundo Quignon’s header was initially punched away by Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark, but the ball fell to Jadar Obrian for the opening goal.
Houston equalized from a corner kick in the 85th minute when captain Héctor Herrera found Úlfarsson running onto the left side of the six-yard box whose glancing header found the net with the help of the far post. This was the forward’s first goal of the season and second of the month. The 22-year-old scored the game-winning goal in Houston’s 1-0 triumph over Sporting Kansas City on May 10 to advance to the Round of 16 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Dynamo started quickly with three shots inside the first five minutes of the match, including the first shot on goal from forward Aliyu Ibrahim. Forward Amine Bassi delivered a low ball close to the near post from a corner kick, which Ibrahim flicked on target with his back to goal. However, goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer managed to scoop up the ball and corral the attempt.
Clark was first called in action in the 11th minute when he denied Jesus Ferreira at the near post. The Dynamo goalkeeper finished with three saves against FC Dallas tonight.
The Dynamo nearly equalized minutes after Úlfarsson entered the game in the 56th minute following a through ball from midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla. The Panamanian international slipped in a ball at the near post for Úlfarsson who just missed the inside of the bottom corner of the opposite post.
Houston was awarded a free kick in the 64th minute just outside the box following a foul on Carrasquilla. Herrera took the free kick, but his effort hit the wall.
Dallas almost netted a second goal in the 72nd minute when Jáder Obrian took a shot from the right edge of the six-yard box, but Clark got a glancing touch on the ball that bounced off the crossbar. Alan Velsaco headed the rebound on goal, but DF Franco Escobar managed to make a defensive header to push the ball away over the open net.
DF Brad Smith followed with a shot four minutes later as Herrera’s delivery to the box was headed to Smith’s feet by forward Nelson Quiñónes, however, the defender’s left-footed shot was pulled past the far post.
Houston out tallied Dallas in key statistics, including possession (56.9%), total passes (434), passing accuracy (81.3%) and final third entries (55).
Dynamo support could be felt in Frisco throughout the match, as the Dynamo 2 squad and travelling supporters totaled around 250 fans.
The Dynamo are back in action on Tuesday, May 23 when they host Minnesota United FC in the Open Cup at Shell Energy Stadium at 7:30 p.m. CT. Houston returns to league play on Saturday, May 27 when they host Austin FC at 7:30 p.m. CT.
