MLS pointers

[Neko Bazu]

In case people are wondering why I keep giving heads-ups on this, it's because I don't wanna go to the trouble of finding the odds and then have no-one using them! ;D

Texas tourney offers look at MLS' best
web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080305&content_id=141837&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

CIBOLO, Texas -- When some of Major League Soccer's top teams face off in the San Antonio area this week for the first Texas Pro Soccer Festival, fans could very well be in store for a preview of this season's MLS Cup Final.

Last November, Houston Dynamo lifted the MLS Cup for the second year in a row when they defeated the New England Revolution 2-1. Dominic Kinnear's side have made the short trip and are joined by Chivas USA, last year's Western Conference regular-season winner, 2007 Supporters' Shield winner and four-time MLS champion D.C. United, and up-and-coming Toronto FC.

While it might be a little early to look ahead to this November and who'll be battling it out for the 2008 MLS Cup crown, the start of the new season will be here in a little more than three weeks, and this week's exhibition series will afford teams the opportunity to continue working towards that point against teams that they'll be facing soon.

For Houston and D.C., it'll provide a few high-quality tune-ups for their upcoming CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal matches, as they'll play the first legs of their respective ties next Wednesday. Houston will play Guatemalan side CSD Municipal in Guatemala, while D.C. will play Harbour View of Jamaica in Kingston.

All four sides involved in this week's event have several new faces and squad changes, so the coaches will be able to do some scouting of league opposition, and along the same lines, see where they stand in terms of starting lineup and roster spots that are still yet to be decided.

(More in the linked article)

Houston Dynamo have been looking good pre-season, as have the Revs - though Revolution have made quite a few changes to their squad from last season, so the continuity for Dynamo could prove telling. Chivas and DC have been a bit quieter during pre-season, but both sides will be hoping to hit the top this time round, after coming close last season.

As for Toronto? Well, with last season's record (using the MLS' notation) being 6-17-7 (Won-Lost-Drew), resulting in them finishing bottom of the standings, they'll probably be happy just to come away with their pride intact against the league's big boys... (Think Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Sunderland )

Here's last season's overall standings, given as:

Team W-L-D Pts GD

D.C. United 16-7-7 55 +22
Chivas USA 15-7-8 53 +18
Houston 15-8-7 52 +20
New England 14-8-8 50 +8
FC Dallas 13-12-5 44 -7
New York 12-11-7 43 +2
Chicago 10-10-10 40 -5
Kansas City 11-12-7 40 +0
Columbus 9-11-10 37 -5
Colorado 9-13-8 35 -5
Los Angeles 9-14-7 34 -10
Real Salt Lake 6-15-9 27 -14
Toronto FC 6-17-7 25 -24

Seems amazing to me that LA Galaxy should finish so low in the league, especially when you consider that their squad includes the likes of Landon Donovan, Abel Xavier, David Beckham and Carlos Ruiz - will their new manager this season, Ruud Gullit, manage to make enough of a difference?

[Neko Bazu]

Another interesting bit of pre-season news - Colorado Rapids, who as you can see were less than spectacular last season, played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Arsenal's (mostly) reserves side, having beaten Ipswich 3-2 the day before:

www.coloradorapids.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?NID=DgJaLK33QdU=

HERTFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND (Thursday, March 6, 2008) – The Colorado Rapids gave a valiant effort, but came up short in falling to the Arsenal Reserves 2-1 this morning at the Arsenal Training Centre. It was the club’s first loss of the 2008 preseason.

Playing their second game in as many days, the Rapids faced a very strong Arsenal Reserve side that featured such First Team members as Gilberto, Robin Van Persie, and Theo Walcott.

Colorado had the contest’s first opportunity to strike in the fifth minute off a Ciaran O’Brien set piece as Nico Colaluca gathered his service and missed the target just wide.

The Rapids were able to continue their offensive pressure for the next several minutes, but could not find the net.

Goalkeeper Justin Hughes, who kept the visiting club close the entire game with key saves, came up with his first on a break-away in the 12th minute to set up a corner for the Arsenal Reserves. The Gunners were able to capitalize on their opportunity and notched the first goal of the game on a header from the corner service to go up 1-0.

The Rapids had their best chance of the first half in the 30th minute when forward Jovan Kirovski found himself with the ball in the middle of the box, but a save from Lukasz Fabianski was able to hold the score at the break.

In the second half, Colorado came out the gates quickly with midfielder Terry Cooke and forward Tom McManus playing some beautiful one-touch passes that only a diving Fabianski could stop from tying the score in the 48th minute.

The Arsenal Reserves gave themselves a little breathing room in the 66th minute when they scored to increase their lead to 2-0.

The Rapids were able to chip away at Arsenal’s advantage in the 87th minute, as McManus played a ball into midfielder Colin Clark, who was able to strike it home, leaving the final score 2-1.

The Rapids will continue their training in London the next two days before heading back to Colorado on Sunday.

That's not such a bad result given who they were playing, even if it was a friendly - Arsenal's reserves are hardly walkovers, after all! I'm curious as to how Houston or the Revs would fare...

Incidentally, that was their first defeat of the pre-season too, taking them to 3-1-3.

[Neko Bazu]

web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080306&content_id=142020&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

CIBOLO, Texas -- The Texas Pro Soccer Fest officially kicked off on Wednesday night, as Houston Dynamo and D.C. United got off to a winning start by notching one-goal victories against Toronto FC and Chivas USA respectively.

Houston Dynamo 4, Toronto FC 3

The fans in attendance in Cibolo were treated to a goalfest in the opener, as Houston fended off a late Toronto charge to pick up the win.

Dynamo got off to a flying start, scoring inside three minutes through a header by Chris Wondolowski, who started up front with Brian Ching.

After Dynamo's opening salvo, the game settled down for much of the next 15 minutes, but the action picked up once again near the 20-minute mark, as the Dynamo started to press for a second goal.

However, it was Toronto who produced the game's second goal and level matters in the 36th minute, as on-trial midfielder Kiki Musampa headed in a cross from Jim Brennan.

That strike set off a three-goal flurry before the halftime whistle, and unfortunately for Toronto, the other two goals were put on the board by Houston's Ching in a three-minute span.

In the 42nd, the veteran striker put Houston ahead once again when he headed in from close range off of a Brad Davis corner.

Two minutes later, Ching broke loose behind the Toronto defense, and Greg Sutton was powerless to a ferocious shot that rocketed into the top left corner to give Houston a two-goal cushion heading into the locker room.

When Eric Ustruck struck shortly after the second half restart to make it a three-goal advantage, it looked like Houston had the win all but wrapped up, especially as the game wound down towards the final 20 minutes.

However, in the end, Houston would need all four goals, as Toronto found the net twice through two more trialists to make things interesting. English midfielder Martin Brittain netted a penalty in the 71st, and French striker Tony Vairelles trimmed the deficit to one with his 80th-minute header, but that would be as close as Toronto would get.

Houston coach Dominic Kinnear was pleased with the result, for the most part.

"To be sitting out there 3-1 at halftime, and we come out again and show that we're still looking for goals shows that the action was good," Kinnear said. "Obviously we made some mistakes defensively, and those we'll address after the game, and hope those mistakes don't happen again."

Toronto FC coach John Carver was very upset with his team after the first-half performance, but felt it righted things after the break.

"I was disappointed that we conceded three goals from set plays. I came in at halftime and had a right go at them because we weren't getting close enough and we got a good reaction from it," Carver said. "But we were a lot better (in the second half) we were a lot higher up the field, we got closer to players and we pressed the ball better and the pleasing thing is they showed a bit of character."

Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Chris Wondolowski (Craig Waibel) 3)
TOR -- Kiki Musampa (Jim Brennan, Jeff Cunningham) 36
HOU -- Brian Ching (Brad Davis) 42
HOU -- Brian Ching (Craig Wailbel) 44
HOU -- Eric Ustruck (Brad Davis) 47
TOR -- Martin Brittain (penalty kick) 71
TOR -- Tony Vairelles (Jim Brennan) 81

Houston Dynamo: Pat Onstad, Craig Waibel (James Georgeff 46), Bobby Boswell (Nick Hatzke 46), Eddie Robinson (John Michael Hayden 46), Wade Barrett (Stephen Wondolowski 46), Corey Ashe, Richard Mulrooney (Johnny Alcaraz 46), Ricardo Clark (Geoff Cameron 46), Brad Davis (Kieran Hall 66), Chris Wondolowski, Brian Ching (Erik Ustruck 46).

Toronto FC: Greg Sutton, Pat Phelan, Tyrone Marshall, Andrew Boyens, Jim Brennan, Collin Samuel, Kiki Musampa, Joey Melo, Martin Brittain, Jeff Cunningham, Danny Dichio (Tony Vairelles 57).



D.C. United 2, Chivas USA 1

Just as in the first match, it was a goal-packed first half in the late-evening match between last year's Supporters' Shield winner and runner-up.

In the first ten minutes, D.C. United had the best chances to open the scoring, but Chivas took the lead with 13 minutes gone. D.C. couldn't clear the ball in their end, and young striker Jorge Flores made them pay the penalty, slotting home from close range to send the sizable Chivas contingent into a frenzy.

But that lead would be short-lived, as winger Quavas Kirk equalized for D.C. mere minutes later, and just before the half hour, D.C. went ahead through Cezar Hermenegildo, off an assist from Franco Niell.

From there on out, there weren't to be any more goals. Much of the action between the two sides came in their tense morning scrimmage, which featured the majority of each team's starters, and finished with an identical 2-1 scoreline.

Despite the defeat, Chivas coach Preki felt satisfied about how the night went.

"We're happy with the way the game went, obviously not with the result, but right now, we don't care about results. We played the way we wanted to play, and we're happy with it," he said.

But, he acknowledges that there were some mistakes on his side's part. "Give the other team credit -- we made a few mistakes, and on this level, you can't mistakes. If you make mistakes, you'll get punished."

The series continues at Cibolo's Steele High School on Friday night, with D.C. United taking on Toronto at 6 p.m., and Houston facing Chivas USA in the nightcap at 8:30.

Scoring Summary
CHV -- Jorge Flores 13
DC -- Quavas Kirk (Justin Moose) 16
DC -- Cezar Hermenegildo (Franco Niell) 27

Chivas USA: Lance Parker; Gerson Mayen, Shavar Thomas, Bobby Burling, Eric Ebert; Jorge Flores, Daniel Paladini, Kraig Chiles, Keith Savage (Chukwudi Chijindu 62); Justin Braun, Anthony Hamilton (Arnaldo Salazar 84).

D.C. United: Jose Carvallo; Quavas Kirk (Galen Thompson 86), Domenic Mediate, Pat Carroll, Ryan Cordeiro; Justin Moose (David Blumer 86), Dan Stratford (Dane Murphy 76), Rod Dyachenko, Santino Quaranta (Josh Gardner 33); Franco Niell (Guy-Roland Kpene 59), Cezar Hermenegildo (Jamil Walker 67).

[Alex]

No odds Neko?

[GresleyRam©®™]

alex said:

No odds Neko?

I was just gonna say that - no odds this week?

[Alex]

I wouldn't want to put some up in case there is a reason behind there being no odds. Such as Neko not having the time this week.

[Neko Bazu]

I'll try to get them done at some point tonight - it's gonna be the first free time I've had at home all week!

Rest assured this will not be a common occurence ;D

(I notice no bastard's commented on any of the above yet though! )

[Neko Bazu]

Major League Soccer teams continued to get the better of international competition on Thursday as a trio of clubs won exhibition matches overseas.

The Columbus Crew posted a victory in England while the New York Red Bulls won in Austria and FC Dallas were victorious in Brazil. The Colorado Rapids lost in England, as did the New England Revolution in Mexico.

New York Red Bulls 3, Red Bull Salzburg reserves 2

Gaining a measure of revenge for their loss earlier in the week, the New York Red Bulls scored three unanswered goals in the second half to post a 3-2 win against the Red Bull Salzburg reserves in an 80-minute match in Salzburg, Austria.

Salzburg looked to be on their way to victory early in the second half when goals from Vladmir Janocko and Djordje Rakic gave them a 2-0 lead.

However, New York responded with a three-goal explosion, starting with Juan Pablo Angel's goal in the 59th minute. Seven minutes later, Luke Sassano knotted the game at 2-2 and in the 78th minute, Mike Magee scored the match-winner for the Red Bulls, who finished their 12-day Austrian exhibition tour with a win and a loss.

Claudio Reyna assisted on Angel's and Sassano's goals.

Red Bull New York: Jon Conway (Zach Thornton 40), Carlos Mendes (Chris Leitch 52), Jeff Parke, Kevin Goldthwaite, Luke Sassano, Lidor Marmol (Danleigh Borman 6 / Mike Magee 66), Seth Stammler, Dave van den Bergh, Claudio Reyna, Juan Pablo Angel, Oscar Echeverry (John Wolyniec 64).

Columbus Crew 1, Blackburn Rovers reserves 0

Buoyed by Adam Moffat's left-footed strike from some 25 yards in the 23rd minute, the Columbus Crew defeated the Blackburn Rovers reserves 1-0 in Blackburn, England.

The Crew have been training in England since March 2 and will remain abroad until Sunday. Their next exhibition match is Friday against Everton in Liverpool.

Columbus Crew: Andy Gruenebaum, Ryan Miller, Leonard Griffin, Andy Iro, Ryan Junge, Guilherme Só (George Josten 45), Duncan Oughton, Adam Moffat (Brian Carroll 46), Andrew Peterson, Nicolas Hernandez (Jason Garey 46), Michael Ricketts (Steven Lenhart 46)

Arsenal reserves 2, Colorado Rapids 1

The Colorado Rapids' perfect exhibition season came to an end as when they were edged by Arsenal reserves 2-1 in Hertfordshire, England.

Led by first-team members Gilberto, Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott, Arsenal jumped out to a 2-0 lead, and were able to withstand a late Colorado rally.

The Rapids drew within one when Colin Clark found the back of the net off a feed from Tom McManus in the 87th minute, but they were not able to score the equalizer.

The Rapids will return to Colorado on Sunday.

Colorado Rapids: Justin Hughes, Kosuke Kimura (Dan Gargan 46 / Mike Petke 68), Cesar Zambrano (Facundo Erpen 46), Jordan Harvey (Stephen Keel 46), Tim Ward (Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. 46), Jacob Peterson (Terry Cooke 46), Nick LaBrocca (Brian Grazier 46), Ciaran O'Brien (Rafael Gomes 46 / Ciaran O'Brien 79), Nico Colaluca (Colin Clark 46), Herculez Gomez (Tom McManus 23), Jovan Kirovski (John DiRaimondo 46)

Atlante 1, New England Revolution 0

Mexican league champion Atlante defeated MLS Cup runners-up New England Revolution 1-0 in a chippy exhibition match that saw nine cautions, three ejections and just one goal.

The match's lone score was notched by Atlante captain Javier Munoz Mustafa in the 38th minute.

The Revs had several good scoring chances, notably Shalrie Joseph's chip that hit the left post in the final seconds of action.

New England will return to Foxborough, Mass. on Friday before departing for New Orleans on March 13.

New England Revolution: Matt Reis, Amaechi Igwe (Joe Franchino 70 / Igwe 81), Michael Parkhurst, Jay Heaps, Chris Albright, Khano Smith (Sainey Nyassi 75), Jeff Larentowicz (Kyle Helton 81), Shalrie Joseph, Wells Thompson, Kenny Mansally, Taylor Twellman

FC Dallas 2, Clube Atletico Paranaense 0

The Brazilian duo of Andre Rocha and Ricardinho combined for two goals to spark FC Dallas to an impressive 2-0 win against Clube Atletico Paranaense in the first leg of the 2008 USA-Brazil Challenge.

Rocha's goal came in the 15th minute on an assist from Pablo Richetti. Ricardinho scored unassisted in the 37th minute.

Both Rocha and Ricardinho are with the Hoops on loan from Paranaense.

The second leg of the series will be played at Pizza Hut Park on March 22.

FC Dallas: Dario Sala -- Drew Moor, Aaron Pitchkolan, Adrian Serioux (Alex Yi 62), Bobby Rhine -- Pablo Ricchetti (Anthony Wallace 75), Marcelo Saragosa, David Wagenfuhr, Andre Rocha -- Ricardinho (Dominic Oduro 75), Kenny Cooper (Abe Thompson 85).

[Neko Bazu]

De Rosario edges Dynamo past Chivas
Early goal enough to hand Dynamo second win in Texas

CIBOLO, Texas -- Dwayne De Rosario's early cracker was all that Houston needed to secure their second consecutive win in the Texas Pro Soccer Fest, as Dynamo defeated Chivas USA 1-0 in Friday's second game at Steele High School Stadium.

Just as in the opener against Toronto, Houston came roaring out of the gate. Dynamo were rewarded with an early goal just as they were against Toronto, and what a goal it was.

De Rosario must have been feeling a little ambitious when he struck a rocket from a good 30 yards out, but that ambition paid off as the shot flew past Lance Parker for a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

Houston didn't let up, and pushed for more. They should have been up 2-0 up just as quickly, but Brian Ching's close-range header in the 13th minute was cleared off the line, and they also didn't make the most out of two free kicks from dangerous positions.

Those near-misses allowed Chivas USA to have a chance to make it a game, and it was Houston that had to be sharp in the 33rd minute, as sub Maykel Galindo saw his shot cleared off the line.

Both teams substituted heavily in the second half, and the action slowed down for the most part. But Chivas USA had another golden opportunity to snatch an equalizer go awry, as Chukwudi Chinjiju had the 'keeper beaten with his 65th-minute shot, but it went off of the post and out of harm's way.

"I didn't know if one would be enough tonight, because there were a lot of chances in the box," Houston Dynamo head man Dominic Kinnear said. "But good defending, good goalkeeping by us, and we made it stand up."

But a hamstring injury to Brad Davis might have put a damper on the victory, as Davis was forced off in the 39th minute. His status for Sunday, and for next Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal against CSD Municipal in Guatemala, is up in the air, but he'll be evaluated on Saturday, said Kinnear.

Houston Dynamo 1, Chivas USA 0

Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Dwayne De Rosario (Chris Wondolowski) 12

Chivas USA: Lance Parker; Jonathan Bornstein (Jorge Flores 46), Shavar Thomas, Jim Curtin (Eric Ebert 46), Bobby Burling; Chukwudi Chijindu, Jesse Marsch (Dan Paladini 46), Kraig Chiles (Mike Uremovich 46), Lawson Vaughn (Gerson Mayen 46); Atiba Harris (Anthony Hamilton 46), Justin Braun (Arnaldo Salazar 74).

Houston Dynamo: Tony Caig; Richard Mulrooney (Craig Waibel 46), Eddie Robinson (Steve Wondolowski 46), Bobby Boswell (Jeff Cameron 46), Wade Barrett (Johnny Alcarez 62); Corey Ashe (John Michael Hayden 46), Ricardo Clark (Kieran Hall 46) (Brian Mullan 81), Dwayne De Rosario (Nick Hatzke 46), Brad Davis (Eric Ustruck 38); Brian Ching (Franco Caraccio 46), Chris Wondolowski (Kyle Brown 46)

Misconduct Summary:
CHV -- Braun (caution) 7
HOU -- De Rosario (caution) 8
CHV -- Bornstein (caution) 17
HOU -- Davis (caution) 32

[Neko Bazu]

Gardner lifts United past Toronto FC
Late goal keeps D.C. unbeaten in Texas Pro Soccer Fest

CIBOLO, Texas -- A late goal by Josh Gardner was the difference on Friday night as D.C. United remained unbeaten in the Texas Pro Soccer Fest with a 1-0 win against Toronto FC.

There wasn't much in the way of excellent chances for either side until Gardner's 84th-minute strike.

In the first half, both sides created half-chances, but lacked the cutting edge required to break the deadlock.

The best chance for either side in the first half came from United in the 33rd minute, when Cezar uncorked a shot from just outside the area that forced Toronto 'keeper Brian Edwards into a diving save.

The second half went much like the first, and the match appeared headed for a stalemate. But Gardner was right on the spot to meet Quavas Kirk's cross and fire a shot into the top of the net to give D.C. the late advantage.

Despite taking their second consecutive defeat of the tournament, it was a much improved defensive performance for Toronto off the heels of their 4-3 defeat to Houston in their tournament opener on Wednesday.

"It was a tougher game for us, because D.C. had a lot of young lads there. They worked hard and gave us one or two problems," TFC head coach John Carver said following the match. "But we looked a bit tighter at the back, and other than the goal, the goalkeeper had only one chance to save."

Carver also said that midfielder Carl Robinson, whose wife recently had a child, will fly into Texas on Saturday and be with the team for their final match on Sunday.

D.C. United 1, Toronto FC 0

Scoring Summary:
DC -- Josh Gardner (Quavas Kirk, Rod Dyachenko) 84

D.C. United: Zach Wells (Jose Carvallo 46); Galen Thompson, Patrick Carroll, Dane Murphy, Ryan Cordeiro; Jamil Walker (Quavas Kirk 46), Daniel Stratford (Rod Dyachenko 46), Guy-Roland Kpene, Josh Gardner; David Blumer (Justin Moose 56), Cezar.

Toronto FC: Brian Edwards, Pat Phelan, Tyrone Marshall, Jim Brennan, Mike Zaher, Martin Brittain, Kevin Harmse (Joey Melo 46), Kiki Musampa, Gabe Gala (Robbie Gaspar 67), Tony Vairelles (Danny Dichio 84), Collin Samuel (Jeff Cunningham 84).

Misconduct Summary:
DC -- Guy-Roland Kpene (caution) 28
TOR -- Gabe Gala (caution) 41
DC -- Dan Stratford (caution) 42

[MRMILLWALL]

Michael Ricketts playing in the MLS now. After a succession of lower league clubs over the last two or three seasons. I wonder how long it will be before hes on his way once again. A true one season wonder.

[Neko Bazu]

I've just had a look through all of MLS, and there's no mention of Michael Ricketts playing for any of them anywhere The only mention at all is in an article dated 14th April '07 on Toronto FC's site, which notes:

Johnston said it is Preston North End striker Daniele Dichio [who is] in the frame for TFC. Dichio, 32, has scored five goals in 16 appearances for the English Championship side this season, but has fallen down the pecking order since the team re-signed former England international Michael Ricketts during the January transfer window. Dichio was not on the bench for Preston's 4-0 victory against Coventry City on Saturday.

A year before that, Donovan Ricketts (Jamaican goalie) was mentioned, but otherwise there's no Ricketts on any of the sites.

According to most sites, he's currently unemployed having been released by Oldham - how the mighty fall!

[GresleyRam©®™]

He doesnt want to fall Neko - with all that weight he could do someone quite an injury! ;D

[Neko Bazu]

Brief round-up of all the recent MLS news articles of note:

Houston Dynamo win Texas Pro Soccer Festival

On Sunday, the Houston Dynamo clinched the title at the inaugural Texas Pro Soccer Festival with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United, taking home the trophy on goals scored after both teams had finished with identical 2-0-1 records in the round-robin showcase.

Wizards sign Claudio Lopez as Designated Player

A large piece of the Kansas City Wizards puzzle fell into place Monday with the formal introduction of designated player Claudio Lopez. Signed Saturday, the 33-year-old Argentinean forward is expected to supply the Wizards with a world-class finisher who can hopefully push the team onto MLS Cup 2008 and into international competitions the following season.

"Not only is he a proven goal scorer, but with the experience and the savviness that he brings, he will create opportunities for his teammates as well," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.

Known as "El Piojo" -- "The Louse" -- for the challenges his quickness and dribbling ability give the opposition, Lopez began his career in Argentina with Estudiantes and Racing before moving on to La Liga in Spain where he played with Valencia. His career then took him to the Serie A in Italy, where he played with Lazio, then Mexico, where he played for Club America. Most recently, he was with Racing Club in Argentina.

Internationally, Lopez played for Argentina in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups and on the team that won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. All told, Lopez has made 58 appearances for his country, scoring 10 goals.

United settle for draw in first leg

D.C. United nearly came away with a vital away victory, but instead were forced to settle for a draw, seeing Harbour View FC hit for a late equalizer to snatch a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions' Cup quarterfinal Wednesday night at Harbour View Mini-Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

Devon McTavish gave United the lead just before halftime, but five minutes from the end, Lovel Palmer rose up to pounce on a bouncing ball and give the home side the tying goal ahead of next week's second leg at RFK Stadium in Washington.

The Black-and-Red were led by the dynamic duo of Luciano Emilio and captain Jaime Moreno up top, and gave debuts to three of their new South American signings. Gonzalo Peralta and Gonzalo Martinez paired in the center of defense, flanked by Marc Burch and Bryan Namoff, while Marcelo Gallardo was handed playmaking duties at the top of D.C.'s midfield diamond. With Ben Olsen still recovering from offseason ankle surgery, McTavish was handed the start at right midfield, with Fred manning the left flank and Clyde Simms occupying the holding midfielder's role.

Dynamo earn hard-fought draw vs. Municipal

Houston Dynamo opened their CONCACAF Champions' Cup with a hard-fought scoreless draw Wednesday night against Guatemala's CSD Municipal at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City.

Dynamo, missing experienced players such as Brad Davis, Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni for the contest, will host the second leg of the two-game quarterfinal series at Robertson Stadium in Houston on March 19.