FRISCO, Texas— After 90 minutes, nothing broke the deadlock between the Columbus Crew and FC Dallas and they played to a 0-0 draw at Toyota Stadium Saturday night.
The game featured limited in chances as both teams seemed to play it safe with playoffs drawing near. Dallas (14-6-8, 50 points) leads the Western Conference and Columbus (12-8-8, 44 points) is fourth in the East.
Both teams looked rusty in their first match back from the international break. The Crew had three players — Gyasi Zardes, Will Trapp and goalkeeper Zack Steffen — coming off international duty with the United States, which played four days earlier.
“Tough game against a good rival,” FCD head coach Oscar Pareja said. “They caused a lot of problems for us, especially in the right side … When we had the ball, we didn’t have the energy that we had in the second half. That made me think the second half was much better.”
Dallas right back Reggie Cannon was also frustrated with the first half, saying the team “came out a little slow.”
“We were struggling to find that balance of when to step, when to press, when to hold,” Cannon explained. “Second half, we definitely came out on a better note. We knew when to press and to hold back, and our attacking quality was really great.”
Adding to the tough result was the loss of defender and captain Matt Hedges, who subbed off at halftime due to an injury.
“It took us by surprise,” Pareja said. “The last minute of the break, we received the news that Matt was not feeling any good with a hit that he took in the first half. I’m waiting for the medical report and hopefully, it’s not serious. Trying to protect the player as much as we can, so we had to do that.”
Maynor Figueroa came on for the captain in relief, providing stability and a solid showing after struggling much of this season.
“I think Maynor stepped in very well,” midfielder Victor Ulloa said. “He gave us some calm and some good touches in the box, and we move forward. Frustrating night overall.”
Midfielder Abel Aguilar was brought on in the 69th minute for forward Dominique Badji, a move that seemed to push for a draw.
“We wanted to have control in the middle,” Pareja said. “Either we gave them the ball and wait for a mistake so we can counter, or we can have initiative and have the ball also. With Abel, we wanted to clog the middle and have someone in the position for the central backs to have the personality to have the ball and make a play from the zone.”
It also allowed Ulloa to push higher up the pitch, instead of the predominant defensive role he normally plays in Dallas’ 4-2-3-1.
“I get to step up a little bit higher,” Ulloa said. “I get to risk the ball a little bit more and I don’t have to play so, so safe. I’m not that anchor. I have a little bit of freedom to go forward, but still I have to organize.”
Crew midfielder and captain Federico Higuain had an early chance in the 26th minute to take a lead from the top of the box, but goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez had a comfortable save early on.
Crew forward Justin Meram almost found Higuain for another attempt. Higuain hit the volley, but it went over the bar.
Dallas will travel to Vancouver next week to take on the Whitecaps Sept. 23. Columbus will travel to Portland Wednesday to take on the Timbers.