Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com
FC Dallas and D.C. United may be separated by 12 points in the standings, but if their two meetings this year are any indication, the teams are as even as can be.
Two months after battling to a scoreless draw at RFK Stadium, Dallas (10-5-5) and United (5-5-8) played to another 0-0 tie in Frisco, Texas on Saturday. Although the home side controlled proceedings for the most part, Dallas failed to find any success in the final third.
Dallas' attack once again flowed through the play of wingers Brek Shea and Jackson, who were particularly dangerous after swapping flanks at halftime. Despite creating a slew of opportunities, neither player was able to break through for coach Schellas Hyndman's squad.
Dallas nearly found net in the 67th minute when Marvin Chavez stripped United defender Ethan White near midfield to spring himself on a breakaway, but the Honduran pushed his finish several yards wide. In the 87th minute, Jackson redirected a cross to the far post that skimmed off the top of the United crossbar.
For D.C., Brandon McDonald and Perry Kitchen enjoyed particularly steady outings in the back to help secure the shutout for goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
United wasn't able to muster much of an attack, as Dallas' centerback tandem of George John and Ugo Ihemelu held D.C. forwards Charlie Davies and Joseph Ngwenya thoroughly in check. And United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, wearing the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Josh Wolff, didn't find much space to operate in central midfield.
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Do you think Dallas should have picked up the full three points at home? Impressed D.C. was able to get another result on the road?
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