The El Capitán cannon sounded for the first time as Carlos Ruiz gave FC Dallas an early lead against Houston Dynamo. But showing the fierceness of the already-heated rivalry -- after just two games -- Dynamo scrambled back to get the equalizer and claim a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon at Pizza Hut Park.
After Ruiz gave the Hoops the 19th-minute lead, Clarence Goodson headed in a dreaded own goal in the 81st minute that sent Houston south with a valuable road point.
"Yeah, very disappointed," said FC Dallas head coach Colin Clarke. "A corner to the far post we should clear it, but we'll deal with that. We shouldn't be giving up a goal there."
The own goal put a damper on a good day for the Hoops as Richard Mulrooney made his first start in 363 days. Ironically, Mulrooney was injured May 15, 2005, against the San Jose Earthquakes -- a club comprised of many Houston players last season.
"We were happy to get him in for 90 minutes," said Clarke. "It wasn't the plan before the game but it's just the way things went, he was fine so we let him stay out there.
"We're very happy to see him back he's been a big part missing for us for the past year. It's going to take time for him to relearn the other players and for them to learn what he's about but he's a very, very good player -- I'm delighted that he's back."
Mulrooney has had the most prolific MLS career among the Hoops players, winning two MLS titles in three years while playing for San Jose. His presence adds an extra boost of confidence in the FC Dallas midfield and should solidify Clarke's team heading into the summer months -- something they are looking for after the club set a record winless streak in 2005 when the high heat came.
"It felt good," said Mulrooney. "Obviously you set goals for yourself and I met another one today playing 90 minutes, but in the end we tied. I wanted the win, but it wasn't meant to be today."
The match was hard fought with two Dynamo starters -- Dwayne De Rosario and Adrian Serioux -- going down with injuries. FC Dallas players are no strangers to the physical side of the game, currently leading the league in fouls committed with 140 after Saturday's match.
"I don't see it as a problem," said Clarke. "You've got to get close to people and we've done that. Whether there were 18 fouls or not out there I'm not so sure."
With the rivalry becoming so heated and both teams so evenly matched, this series has the potential to become one of the league's best. A solid group of Dynamo supporters made the trip to Frisco, loudly supporting their club, which added greatly to the game's atmosphere.
"I think that's everything that is part of a derby," said FCD defender Drew Moor. "It's going to be like that every time we play them now. We play them four times a year and twice just this past week, so we remember each other and other things a lot easier. So it makes us that much more willing to get stuck in and start some heat."
Scott Joiner is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
