In a high-stakes late-season clash between Texas rivals, Houston Dynamo FC and FC Dallas, both of whom were playing their third match in just eight days, fans were treated to an intense and closely contested affair that ultimately ended in a scoreless draw on a Saturday evening in Houston. This pivotal Western Conference matchup, part of the fierce Copa Tejas rivalry, had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The game’s defining moment arrived in the 88th minute when the Dynamo’s Coco Carrasquilla, in tandem with Amine Bassi, orchestrated a thrilling breakaway. Carrasquilla unleashed a thunderous shot that seemed destined for the back of the net, only to be denied by the exceptional reflexes of Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who tipped the ball over the crossbar with a spectacular save.
As the final whistle blew, both teams had to settle for a single point, with the Dynamo (12-11-8, 44 points) maintaining their fifth-place position in the highly competitive Western Conference. Meanwhile, FC Dallas (10-10-11, 41 points) held onto ninth place, securing the final wild-card playoff spot in the conference. With just three regular-season matches remaining, the playoff race was heating up, and every point counted.
Maarten Paes of FC Dallas was the standout performer of the night, making five crucial saves to secure his seventh clean sheet of the season and the 15th in his two-year career. On the opposing end, Houston’s Steve Clark made two vital saves, earning his 12th shutout of the season and the 62nd in his illustrious 10-year career.
In recent weeks, both teams had shown their mettle. Houston Dynamo FC boasted a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their past seven MLS matches, while FC Dallas had dropped just one match in their last 13 outings across all competitions, racking up an impressive tally of four wins and eight draws.
The game had its fair share of thrilling moments. Dallas initiated proceedings with Alan Velasco testing Steve Clark with a powerful strike in the 10th minute, only to be denied at the bottom-right corner. In response, the Dynamo mounted a challenge in the 28th minute when Hector Herrera launched a fierce shot from outside the box, which Maarten Paes expertly swatted away from the top center of the goal. Herrera attempted another long-range effort in the 37th minute, but Paes once again stood firm.
Houston managed to record their third shot on target through Franco Escobar’s effort from the right side of the six-yard box, but Paes was equal to the task, stopping it in the bottom-right corner.
As the tension continued to mount, the teams exchanged shots on target late in the game. Paul Arriola produced a close-range attempt in the 78th minute, but Steve Clark confidently collected the weak shot. On the other end, Nelson Quinones fired a shot that appeared to be goal-bound, but Maarten Paes came to FC Dallas’s rescue yet again.
In the end, this thrilling encounter showcased the resilience and determination of both Houston Dynamo FC and FC Dallas as they battled for crucial points in the Western Conference standings. With the regular season drawing to a close, the stage was set for an exciting climax to the campaign.
