Hoops, Dynamo play to scoreless draw

FRISCO, Texas -- In the second match of their two-game in-state exhibition series, FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo played to a scoreless draw Monday. The game followed a 3-0 victory by the Dynamo in Friday's first game at Robertson Stadium.

Both teams fielded starting 11s complete with plenty of regular starters. However, each coach had one lineup alteration of note. Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear went with veteran Wade Barrett in the midfield instead of his usual spot in the back line. FCD boss Schellas Hyndman started Brazilian Marcelo Saragosa at right back compared to his usual spot in the midfield.

It was FCD who generated the first real scoring chance of the morning when in the 16th minute, Jeff Cunningham made a nice run into the Houston 18 and got a shot off from about 14 yards out. However, his effort struck the right side of the goal netting.

The visitors' first chance came in the 25th minute when Dynamo veteran midfielder Brian Mullan hit a perfect ball from the right flank that found teammate Chris Wondolowski near the FCD goal. Wondolowski's header was well executed but hit directly to Hoops goalkeeper Dario Sala and the Argentinean international made the save at close range.

In the 29th minute, the home side had what was probably their best chance of the first 45 minutes of play. The sequence began when Cunningham played a ball to Eric Avila on the right side. Avila then crossed to the opposite flank, where Dave van den Bergh was waiting.

Van den Bergh's cross deflected several times before landing at the feet of Kenny Cooper, who was near the opposing goal. Cooper's shot from point-blank range got away from him and sailed high.

Houston generated another quality chance in the 36th thanks to Brad Davis. The Dynamo midfielder spotted Kei Kamara open inside the FCD area and got him the ball. Much like Wondolowski had done a few minutes earlier, Kamara headed the ball squarely but Sala was there to save the day for FCD, making the save before colliding with the left post and appearing to injure his right shoulder, though he remained in the game.

For the most part, each team stuck with their original starting 11 to begin the second half. However, about 20 minutes into the period, both coaches went to their benches.

Both teams to the field later this week. On Thursday, Houston travels to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy in a preseason friendly while FCD will face the University of Memphis on Saturday morning in Frisco.