For the second consecutive week FC Dallas squared off against an undefeated opponent, and for the second consecutive week they came away with a positive result, playing D.C. United to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at RFK Stadium.
United opened the scoring in the first half with a scintillating strike from midfielder Ben Olsen, but was matched with an equally impressive strike from Hoops midfielder Ronnie O'Brien in the waning moments of the opening stanza, before the teams settled for the draw that left them still undefeated with identical 3-0-2 records.
United had the first chance of the game, but Baltimore native Alex Yi, making his first MLS start in central defense for FC Dallas, made a critical tackle on D.C.'s Jaime Moreno, who was slicing through the penalty area in the 10th minute.
A Josh Gros drive from just outside the left side of the area was easily handled by Dallas 'keeper Dario Sala in the 14th minute, who made a string of impressive saves to maintain the score line, especially in the second half.
In-form forward Alecko Eskandarian nearly opened the scoring for United a quarter of the way into the first half when Christian Gomez cheekily chipped the Dallas defense only to find Eskandarian, with a clear path to goal, ruled just offside.
United, who were in devastating form last week against the New York Red Bulls, continued their stellar play, opening the scoring with a blistering goal from Olsen in the 17th minute. The Black-and-Red showed the quality of their combination play as some nifty passing led to Olsen's first strike of the 2006 campaign.
Eskandarian, who made a run across the top of the Dallas box from the right side, threaded a pass to Josh Gros in the center of the box, who laid it back first-time for Olsen, whose left-footed strike from 20 yards found the back of the right hand corner of the net past a diving Sala.
Yet despite the early concession, FC Dallas continued to press the home side's defense. In the 27th minute, Ramon Nunez almost leveled for the Hoops when he took a beautiful, 40-yard cross from midfielder Ronnie O'Brien, coolly trapped it with his chest then rocketed a volley into the left-side netting.
D.C. defender Brandon Prideaux's tackle on MLS rookie, and Baltimore-born, Kenny Cooper deep in the left hand corner gave Dallas a free kick in the 34th minute. Hoops midfielder Ramon Nunez struck a dangerous curling free kick that was punched away by Perkins.
O'Brien equalized for the for the visitors in the 41st minute through a vicious strike. After receiving a short pass from former Manchester United midfielder Mark Wilson, O'Brien took two steps and rocketed a 25-yard shot from the center of the park past a diving Perkins, who had no chance, into the left hand side of the goal.
In the opening minutes of the second half Freddy Adu, getting another start on the right side of the United midfield, showed off some playground moves when he back-heeled a ball through the legs of Dallas defender Greg Vanney at midfield, turned, and raced down the field with the former U.S. national team stalwart in his dust.
But FC Dallas had a better chance at the other end as both teams created chances, as Mark Wilson was wide open in front of the D.C. United net but just missed latching onto a left-footed cross from Kenny Cooper.
United thought they took the lead in the 61st minute with a Josh Gros rebounded effort, but he was called offside by the referee's assistant, after Sala had made a remarkable save on a Bobby Boswell header from a corner.
The Hoops' Argentinean-born 'keeper kept Dallas in the game with a string of great plays a few minutes later.
Eskandarian almost broke through on a breakaway towards goal in the 64th minute, but was brought down by Yi, who earned a yellow for his challenge from behind just outside the penalty area. The ensuing free kick from Gomez looked like a sure thing as it curled towards the right-hand side of the goal, but a leaping Sala got his left hand to the ball at the last second, palming it away to safety.
Shortly after, Eskandarian again found himself on a breakaway. Sala, however, had no help from his defenders this time and took matters into his own hands, stripping the striker of the ball at the top of the box with a diving save at Eskandarian's feet.
In the 72nd minute, Adu made a move to his right, beating a Hoops defender deep in the right hand side of the box, and rifled a low, hard shot at net which Sala did well to hold onto.
Minutes later, Sala again made an outstanding play when Eskandarian received a diagonal ball from Gomez at the penalty spot. As Eskandarian attempted to control the ball, Sala charged off his line and smothered the ball, averting another dangerous opportunity for United.
FC Dallas star forward Carlos Ruiz came on for Roberto Mina in the 84th minute in a last effort by FC Dallas boss Colin Clarke to look for the winner. Ruiz, nursing a sore hamstring, had scored seven goals in eight career games against United, but was unable to find the net.
Jordan Brown is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
