Oscar Pareja returned to FC Dallas for the first time in a competitive game as his Orlando City SC team settled for a goalless draw at Toyota Stadium to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games.
Despite the lack of goals, there were opportunities for both teams to come out with the win, although Orlando were forced to play the final 21 minutes with 10 men after midfielder Jhegson Mendez was shown two yellow cards in the space of five second-half minutes.
It was an even first half, with Orlando having the bulk of the possession but Dallas creating the best chance. That came in the 10th minute when Santiago Mosquera played a clever one-two with Franco Jara down the left of the penalty area to get clear through on goal only to be denied by a fine close-range save from Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.
Mosquera's night was to end soon after when an injury forced him to be replaced by Fafa Picault.
Orlando's clearest opening of the period came shortly before the interval when Nani headed Mauricio Pereyra's precise cross back across goal but both Tesho Akindele and Chris Mueller just failed to turn the ball in at the back post.
The second half continued in much the same vein as both sides pushed admirably for the winner.
Nani looked the man most likely to make the breakthrough for Orlando, seeing a couple of dangerous long-range strikes saved by Jimmy Maurer. At the other end, Michael Barrios was denied by an outstanding block on the edge of the box from Rodrigo Schlegel.
Goals
- None
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Neither side are likely to be too unhappy with a point apiece after a game in which both teams showed why they began the game sitting in the top four in their conference. Dallas will feel they perhaps should have taken all three points at home and going up against 10 men for more than 20 minutes but they will also know that on another night Orlando could have snatched the victory themselves.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Santiago Mosquera looked poised to break the deadlock just 10 minutes in but, not for the first time this season, Pedro Gallese came up with a big save to keep Orlando level and ultimately maintain their unbeaten streak.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: With honorable mentions to the two goalkeepers and Nani, Mauricio Pereyra was the man who made Orlando tick and allowed them to be the more fluid team in possession throughout. During his 73 minutes on the field, everything Orlando created in an attacking sense went through the Uruguayan playmaker who continues to be a key part of his team's dramatic improvement in 2020.
Next Up
- DAL: Saturday, October 3 vs. Columbus Crew SC (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- ORL: Saturday, October 3 vs. New York Red Bulls (4 pm ET | FOX | MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
