HOUSTON - Houston Dynamo began the defense of their 2006 MLS Cup title with a familiar result, surviving going a man down late in the game to record a scoreless draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday evening at Robertson Stadium.
Dynamo celebrated their championship before the game, raising the banner commemorating last season's triumph, but both both goalkeepers came up solid when tested Sunday, especially in the first half. A year ago, Dynamo tied Chivas USA with the most ties in MLS, 13.
Houston's Ryan Cochrane was sent off with a straight red card in the 76th minute after he pulled down the Galaxy's Robbie Findlay from behind.
Early on, Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who was playing in his first competitive match since Feb. 21 when he suffered a calf injury in a CONCACAF Champions' Cup match against Puntarenas FC in Costa Rica, was tested early.
In the fourth minute, Nate Jaqua rounded Onstad as the Galaxy striker raced into the penalty area, but his shot hit the outside of the post. Then in the 14th minute, Landon Donovan came in on a short breakaway, but Onstad made a diving save on the shot from the left.
Galaxy goalkeeper Joe Cannon was also up to the task when tested early, stopping a shot by Brad Davis in the 12th minute and turning aside a header by Eddie Robinson in the 37th minute.
Dynamo had some other good chances in the half, but in the 13th minute Brian Ching's shot went high, and in the 25th minute, Dwayne de Rosario put his effort just left of the goal.
The Orange nearly took the lead just after the halftime break when Ching got on the end of a centering pass from Brian Mullan, but Ching's header sailed high.
Then de Rosario stole the ball outside the Galaxy penalty area, but his shot off a short breakaway hooked wide.
In the 59th minute, Jaqua snuck through and nearly put the visitors into the lead, but his shot was acrobatically tipped aside by Onstad.
After Cochrane was sent off in the 76th minute, L.A. tried to take advantage of the one-man advantage quickly. Donovan sent a free kick to the far post for Findlay, but his header went wide of the goal.
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
