While the Columbus Crew played one of their best halves of the season on Saturday, FC Dallas spoiled the fun with a late game-tying goal.

Two teams known for their attack-minded play collided in Frisco, Texas, and the Crew looked to be the stronger of the two sides after 45 minutes. However, a late Tesho Akindele goal saw both teams earn a single point. The 1-1 tie is the second consecutive road tie of the season for the Crew, who have yet to win a game through four matches.

Justin Meram scored the first goal of the contest in the ninth minute, nodding in the ball from a corner kick after making a strong run towards the front post.

Mauro Diaz, SBI MLS Player of the Month for March, was a late scratch to Oscar Pareja’s starting lineup, and his absence set the tone as the Crew hit the ground running at Toyota Stadium. Fredrico Higuain was one of the handful who played well early on, and he was the one who provided the early assist via a corner kick. The Argentine nearly earned his second assist of the night just before the break, but Ethan Finlay was unable to fire his shot past FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez.

Gonzalez and Crew netminder Steve Clark each had a fantastic save in the first half, with the latter denying Fabian Castillo midway through the first interval.

Despite many opportunities to score a second and potentially third, the Crew failed to increase their lead in the first half, and came to rue those missed chances late in the second half. Maxi Urruti, who enjoyed a decent outing working with Castillo in the attack, fired his shot off the post before Akindele cleaned up the chance for the game-tying goal.

Man of the Match

While Fredrico Higuain looked like the best player on the field at times in the first half, Justin Meram gave the Crew the best chance to earn their first win of the season on Saturday. While doing well tracking back defensively on the left side, Meram was also the goal-scorer for the Crew.

Moment of the Match

It was not pretty, but Tesho Akindele’s late goal got the job done. Maxi Urriti’s laser of a shot did most of the work, as the ball caromed off the post before bouncing off the back of goalkeeper Steve Clark. Akindele was in the right place at the right time to tap in the chance.

Match to Forget

For a second time this season, Kei Kamara was seemingly invisible on the field for the Crew. Pressure on the striker intensified following the announcement of his new Designated Player contract this offseason, and he has yet to live up to expectations that come with being a DP five weeks into the season.