FRISCO - While the FC Dallas defense recorded its fifth shutout of the MLS regular season on Sunday night, there was still something missing at the other end of the field.
Even with the season debut of Mauro Diaz, Dallas could not find a way past Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric in the 0-0 draw.
It's now been four consecutive matches since Dallas has scored more than once in a game. It hasn't been due to a lack of chances, though, and head coach Oscar Pareja remains confident in his team's ability to score.
"The boys give a terrific effort, I am proud of this group," Pareja said. "I am confident we are going to find the net again."
In three of Dallas' last four matches, the team has recorded at least 16 shots. Forwards Tesho Akindele, Cristian Colmán and Maxi Urruti are all creating and receiving chances to score, just as they have all season long.
"We need to polish our finishing because it has happened in the last games at home, but we continue to work," Pareja said. "This great game is about scoring goals but I have confidence in this group. They work a lot and they're still young."
Recent matches have seen Dallas struggle to direct their shots on target. None of the past four matches have seen Dallas steer more than five shots on an opponent's goal.
The dry spell has coincided with Dallas' busiest stretch of the season, in which the team has played four games in 14 days. Dallas will not only benefit from a reduced schedule in the coming weeks, but also from next week's opponent.
The May 6th match at Real Salt Lake was the last time the Dallas attack was at its sharpest. A 3-0 win saw Urruti score a brace and Matt Hedges score his lone goal of the season so far.
"Each of us needs to take it one gear up," Kellyn Acosta said. "We're going to bounce back. The goals are going to come, the wins are going to come, but we just need to be patient and keep moving forward."
Hedges and Acosta will leave for U.S. Men's National Team duty ahead of next Saturday's match with RSL, but the return of Diaz coupled with some much-needed rest could reignite a potentially fearsome attack.
"The season is long and it's barely starting," Diaz said. "It's better to get these results now and not later on when it'll be a decisive point."