Ronaldo Pena’s late goal gives Dynamo a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas in MLS play.
The Dynamo haven’t played well since their last encounter with FC Dallas. After the two Western Conference clubs tied in late July, it has been a downhill slide for the Dynamo, who then lost their next five MLS games.
The Dynamo, on the outside looking in on the playoff picture, could have used the three points Thursday night at BBVA Compass Stadium against their in-state rival. Instead, they will have to settle for one point.
A goal in the 88th minute by the Dynamo’s Ronaldo Pena, assisted by Tomas Martinez, salvaged a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas before a crowd of 16,544.
Pena’s goal gave the club a bit of a lift following a tough stretch.
“It’s exciting and a great experience to score the goal,” Pena said. “It’s been tough when you lose so many games.”
Pena’s equalizer came just five minutes after FC Dallas’ Michael Barrios opened the scoring. Barrios had won a ball in the box and rolled it into the net.
For Pena, it was his first goal as a member of the Dynamo.
It was a mini-victory for the Dynamo (7-11-7), who are winless over their last eight MLS matches. The Dynamo came into Thursday 10 points adrift of the sixth and final playoff spot in the conference standings with nine games remaining — three at home.
“It means a lot, but at the same time it didn’t mean enough,” Dynamo defender DaMarcus Beasley said. “I’m happy with the effort and trying to get the three points, but mixed feelings to get only one point.
“Even though we didn’t get the win, I’m proud of the effort and we played like men tonight.”
The Dynamo, as well as Dallas, had chances throughout the game.
In the 50th minute, Romell Quioto had a good opportunity for the Dynamo to start the second half strong, but the ball went into the left-side netting.
Thursday was the second of three legs of the 2018 Texas Derby. In the first meeting between the two clubs in July, the game also ended in a 1-1 tie. The two clubs meet for the final time in 2018 on Sept. 1 in Dallas.
FC Dallas (13-5-7 46 points) remains the Western Conference’s first-place club.
This week, Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera stressed that his club would need to win all of its remaining home matches to have a semblance of making the MLS playoffs as well as playing a complete game.
The Dynamo had no quit in them Thursday.
“The fans saw the effort the players gave,” Cabrera said. “The guys showed the energy throughout the game.”
Forward Alberth Elis, a 2018 All-Star, was back in the Dynamo’s starting lineup after missing two games because of a suspension.
Scoring opportunities were scarce for both clubs in a scoreless first half.
For FC Dallas, Pablo Aranguiz saw his shot sail high over the crossbar. In the 34th minute, a Tesho Akindele header was saved by Dynamo keeper Joe Willis. In the 42nd minute, Aranguiz misfired from long range.
For the Dynamo, Martinez had a go from distance that strayed just wide left in the 25th minute.
And in the waning minutes of the opening half, Martinez failed to convert on a shot from in close.
This was the 32nd matchup between the clubs. The Dynamo have posted 10 wins and FC Dallas nine. There have been 13 ties.