Houston Dynamo 1, FC Dallas 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

In Saturday’s first installment of 2018’s Texas Derby, FC Dallas scored in the first minute, the Houston Dynamo equalized just seven minutes later, and then neither team could find a go-ahead goal despite some silver-platter chances, leading to a 1-1 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium.

It didn’t take long for offensive sparks to fly — FC Dallas got its first shot off after 9 seconds, and after winning a corner, Michael Barrios linked with Santiago Mosquera, who then sent a ball into Matt Hedges, who headed past Joe Willis for the still-first-minute opener.

But in the 8th minute, Houston matched header-for-header, with Romell Quioto curling a cross in to Mauro Manotas, resulting in the Colombian’s 10th goal of the year.

The second half didn’t produce goals, but did produce significant narrative. About midway through the half, Barrios won a penalty by drawing a yellow-card foul from Adolfo Machado, but Roland Lamah couldn’t slot in the PK or the rebound back to him. Seconds later, it appeared Manotas took the lead for the Dynamo, but the goal was disallowed after Video Review ruled offside. Lamah had one more incredible chance to be a hero, but hit the crossbar on an open-net chance in the 72nd minute — adding to the rich lore of Texas Derby weirdness.

Goals

• 1′ – DAL – Matt Hedges | WATCH
• 8′ – HOU – Mauro Manotas | WATCH

Three Things

1. THE BIG PICTURE: For Dallas, the result keeps them in the Western Conference lead, and adds a point to their recent 6-win-in-8-matches form. For Houston, they’re still on the outside looking in on the playoffs, as the draw keeps them 7th in the west, though they now have four straight results, plus a midweek U.S. Open Cup win that vaulted them to the semis. Still, neither team walks away satisfied with the draw — and El Capitan‘s no closer to being claimed.
2. MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The 62nd minute was definitely the minute of the match — that span of 60 seconds had the Willis save on the Lamah PK and the ultimately-disallowed Manotas goal. The drama in those moments was electric, yet also showed that the strong hand of fate wanted to keep this a draw.
3. MAN OF THE MATCH: Manotas scored his 10th of the year, showed a nose for the goal throughout the match, and illustrated the faith that coach Wilmer Cabrera has in him as a No. 9.

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