Houston, Dallas battle to draw in first game of Texas Derby

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 
All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 21, 2018) The Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas battled to a one-all draw in the first game of the annual Texas Derby at BBVA Compass Stadium. The draw pushed Houston's record to 7-6-6 (27 points) for the season, with Dallas posting a 11-3-6 (39 points) in 2018.

It took Dallas less than a minute; actually about 45 seconds, to score. Right after the kickoff, Dallas took control of the ball, with the play ending up in front of the Houston net. Defender Matt Hedges took possession and "drilled" it past goalkeeper Joe Willis, who was named the Dynamo "Man of the Match." It was the first goal of the season for the 27-year-old team captain, who was selected by Dallas as their first pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved 

Houston answered the Dallas goal in true orange and white fashion, in the eighth minute, when Mauro Manotos (shown left) headed the ball into the nest, for his tenth goal of the season. The assist was credited to Romell Quioto. It was the Honduran's 11th assist of 2018. The rest of the first half saw both squads aggressively attacking each other's defense; attempting to put an additional goal on the board. In an attempt to get an advantage, Dallas substituted, in the 25th minute, Tesio Akindele for Santiago Mosquera. It was the Canadian's eighth appearance in 2018 for Dallas, with seven of those appearances coming as a substitution. Dallas got close to taking the lead in the 36th minute, but was denied as a result of a vital tackle in the box by captain DeMarcus Beasley.

The crowd got a bit aggressive early in the second half when Houston was cited for a infraction and Dallas was awarded a penalty kick in the 62nd minute. Midfielder Roland Lemah took the PK, which was immediately blocked by Willis. Houston got the ball on the counter attack and scored off an assist by Beasley and kick from inside the box by Mauro Manotas. A review of the goal was ordered and it was determined the Houston forward was off-sides; disallowing the goal.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved 

Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera (shown right) talked about the game in his post-game press conference.

“I think in the first half, we were again, we went out, and we were sleeping in set pieces, even though we talked, we practiced, and we mentioned that set pieces are really important, and we lost our mark right there, and 1-0 in the first minute. So, again tough, but our reaction was quick and well done, but after we tied, we stopped playing the game that we have to play. We stopped playing, and I spoke with the guys during halftime, we stopped running, we stopped attacking, we stopped winning the ball. We let them control the game; we let them pass the ball, we let them move the ball, then we had to run. Fortunately, they didn’t score, and in the second half, we made some adjustments, in our movements, I think we were much better. We went out to try to look for the second goal. Despite that we receive a penalty, I didn’t see the penalty, to be honest with you. We scored a goal, and VAR disallowed it. I don’t know if it was a goal or not. I think it was a much even game in the second half where we showed fire, we showed that we wanted to win and we showed more desire, and I have to take the second half, I don’t take the first half. The first half I didn’t feel comfortable the way we played, the second half we played much better, we played how the way you have to play at these types of derbies, these types of games against a good team, and a team that was resting for a week, and of course. No doubt the guys made a great day for, despite that we have to play on Wednesday, and we played today, we knew at some point, we had to see guys traveling with the heat, and the humidity, but they fought, they tried their best. We couldn’t win, but I think it’s important to finish strong showing that we want to win at home and sometimes we’re going to win, and sometimes we’re going to lose; and sometimes we’re going to tie, that’s for sure because that’s the game. At least we showed in the second half that we are hungry and this is our home.”

The next game in the Texas Derby, which determines the possession of El Capitan, will be on August 23 at BBVA Compass Stadium. The rubber-game will occur on September 1 at Toyota Stadium.