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Toronto FC earns draw with Dynamo

Sep 27, 2008 - 11:48 PM By Bart van Veghel PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

Marvell Wynne's first career goal enabled Toronto FC to salvage a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo at Saturday.

It was a familiar result for both sides. Toronto, a stalwart at home this season, improved to 5-2-7 at rain-soaked BMO Field with the tie against Western Conference powerhouse Houston.

Toronto (7-12-7) entered the contest six points out of a playoff spot and without coach John Carver, who was serving a suspension for jeering at an official last week.

Despite desperately needing a win, Toronto watched the two-time defending league champion Dynamo dominate from the outset.

Houston opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, when Toronto defender Hunter Freeman blindly headed a back pass over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Greg Sutton, turning what seemed to be a routine play into an own goal.

"I didn't hold back on them at halftime," said Carver, who remained in the locker room during the game. "I told them that I want guys who want to play for TFC, guys who want to die for the badge. Just because we are playing the league champions doesn't mean we should hold back. We need to play with more passion. We can't be rolling over for teams because of their records."

Toronto evened the match in the 74th minute on a fantastic individual effort by defender-turned-midfielder Wynne.

Wynne dribbled down the right flank before cutting inside a defender and ripping a left-footed strike into the top left corner of the net, just under the crossbar. Despite the goal, Wynne was disappointed with the result.

"I tried to do my part and what's best for the team that way," Wynne said. "However, you always want to get the three points, and a goal doesn't feel as good with a draw."

Sutton made a pair of key saves in the waning moments to preserve the tie.

Houston, which improved to 11-5-9, sits atop the Western Conference with 42 points. The Dynamo also took the season series with Toronto, 1-0-1.

Toronto has failed to win in its last seven games dating to June 14, while Houston has lost just once in its last 12 league matches (6-1-5).

Cautions were handed out to Toronto captain Jim Brennan in the ninth minute, Houston's Bobby Boswell in the 11th and Toronto's Tyronne Marshall in the 83rd. Boswell will miss the Dynamo's next game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario, the 2007 league MVP, lamented his team's tough travel schedule.

"It's been hard flying in here, and then flying out to Mexico on Monday," said De Rosario, who was born in Toronto. "Players are fatigued and we need time for rest. We need to set out and clinch a spot in the playoffs and then rest up for a stretch run."

Houston took on San Francisco FC in Panama City on Tuesday before traveling to Canada for Saturday's match.

Canadian Pat Onstad reached a milestone, making his 100th start in goal for the Dynamo.