COLUMBUS – FC Dallas extended two streaks with a 0-0 tie vs. the Crew on Saturday afternoon before 16,708 fans in Crew Stadium.
Dallas are 3-0-7 in their past 10 road games to break the previous away record set by the Crew and the Chicago Fire.
Also, FCD (9-2-10) have seven wins and five ties in the past 12 games.
The Crew (12-5-5) came closest to getting on the scoreboard, but FCD defender Zach Loyd used a goal-line clearance to deny Guillermo Barros Schelotto in the 68th minute.
It was one of many sterling defensive plays for Dallas.
A rare misplay by goalkeeper Kevin Hartman nearly resulted in a gift goal in the 10th minute after he muffed a long free kick by Schelotto. The ball fell to the feet of Crew defender Chad Marshall in the box, but his shot attempt was blocked by Atiba Harris.
A skillful touch by forward Milton Rodriguez in the 16th minute resulted in Dallas’ first chance. He threaded an early ball past three defenders to spring Brek Shea on the left. Shea cut toward the goal, but William Hesmer had the angle covered and Shea’s shot went into the side netting.
Columbus could not crack the defense until Emilio Renteria’s solo effort in the 39th minute. He took a pass near the right sideline and spun around Loyd. As Renteria neared the far corner he sent a heavy pass through the goal box with Jason Garey the intended target at the far post.
Fortunately for Dallas, Heath Pearce slid into the path of the ball and deflected it enough with his foot to make unmarked Garey miss the bouncing ball.
FCD had five of the nine shots in the tight first half.
Crew 'keeper William Hesmer stopped Shea in the 83rd minute for the final good chance for either side.
Dallas were without injured defender Ugo Ihemelu (concussion) and midfielder Dax McCarty (quad strain) but was otherwise healthy and rested.
In fact, coach Schellas Hyndman used the same lineup for the third match in a row.
Meanwhile, the Crew had a tough 1-0 loss Tuesday in Mexico to Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League in which they added midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo (groin) to the injury list alongside midfielder Robbie Rogers (knee) and defender Gino Padula (knee). Right back Frankie Hejduk served a suspension.
Crew midfielder Adam Moffat’s yellow card for a harsh tackle means he will miss the next MLS match because of accumulated caution points. The same applies to FCD midfielder Daniel Hernandez, who received his caution in the 77th minute after tangling with Schelotto; and Atiba Harris, who was shown yellow in the 85th minute for a reckless tackle.
Dallas host Toronto FC on Sept. 4
Columbus steps away from league play Wednesday for the semifinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup vs. D.C. United in RFK Stadium. In a twist, the teams will also play there Sept. 4 in an MLS match.
For full stats, visit the MLS MatchCenter.
FC Dallas 0 at Columbus Crew 0
Columbus Crew Stadium
Attendance: 16,708
FC Dallas (9-2-10)
Columbus Crew (12-5-5)
Scoring Summary:
None
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Heath Pearce, George John, Zach Loyd, Jair Benitez (Jackson Goncalves 72), Atiba Harris, Eric Alexander (Eric Avila 62), Daniel Hernandez, Brek Shea, David Ferreira, Milton Rodriguez (Jeff Cunningham 61).
Substitutes Not Used: Marvin Chavez, Edson Edward, Bruno Guarda, Dario Sala.
Columbus Crew -- William Hesmer, Danny O'Rourke, Andy Iro, Chad Marshall, Shaun Francis, Eddie Gaven, Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat, Emilio Renteria (Steven Lenhart 81), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Kevin Burns 89), Jason Garey.
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Brunner, Dilly Duka, Leandre Griffit, Duncan Oughton, Andy Gruenebaum.
Misconduct Summary:
CLB -- Adam Moffat (caution; Reckless Tackle) 28
DAL -- Zach Loyd (caution; Reckless Foul) 40
CLB -- Guillermo Barros Schelotto (caution; Persistent Infringement) 77
DAL -- Daniel Hernandez (caution; Persistent Infringement) 77
DAL -- Atiba Harris (caution; Reckless Tackle) 85
Referee: Andrew Chapin
Referee's Assistants: -Kermit Quisenberry; Thomas Supple
4th Official: Michael Kennedy
Time of Game: 1:50
Weather: Sunny-and-83-degrees