Minnesota United plays to scoreless tie with Dallas

Minnesota United had all its attacking talent in its starting lineup. FC Dallas could boast teenage goal-scoring sensation Ricardo Pepi. But in the teams' 0-0 draw Saturday night in Frisco, Texas, it was the two goalkeepers who ended up taking the starring roles. Tyler Miller, for the Loons, and Phelipe Megiolaro, for Dallas, each put together one standout half, and their performances were enough to keep the teams knotted at zero.

The Loons (10-9-8), with an opportunity to climb into fifth place in MLS' Western Conference, instead stand tied for sixth with LA Galaxy.

Miller was the star in the first half, when FC Dallas had the better of the chances. His best save of the half was his first, less than two minutes in, when midfielder Brandon Servania hit a knuckling shot that would have dipped into the top corner, had Miller not been there to tip it away.

"To be honest, I saw it a little bit late, because it came from right behind our player," Miller said. "Thankfully I was able to make a big time save in an important moment. Too many times we've started slow and gave up a goal early, and those have really killed us, especially on the road."

Minnesota couldn't break down the Dallas defense in the first 45 minutes. The best chance the Loons got in the first half was a free kick from Emanuel Reynoso, who whipped a left-footed curler off the base of the post.

In the second half, though, the Loons started earning chances against the Western Conference's worst defensive unit, and it was Megiolaro's turn to take the stage. Ten minutes in, a high cross from Bakaye Dibassy eluded the Brazilian keeper. Reynoso, who had snuck it at the back post, stuck out a foot to poke the bouncing ball toward the goal, but Megiolaro somehow recovered from his whiff on the cross to spring to his left and make the save.

Dallas had the ball in the net in the 60th minute, but video review from referee Rubiel Vazquez took the goal off the board. Defender Michael Boxall attempted to clear a low cross, which hit Dallas attacker Ryan Hollingshead on the arm. Even though the handball was completely accidental, the resulting score was ruled out, due to the handball.

Minnesota striker Robin Lod had another excellent chance 10 minutes after the incident, but once again, Megiolaro seemed to appear from nowhere. Lod turned on a cross at the edge of the Dallas six-yard box and attempted a quick toe-poke, but the FCD keeper got down low to his right to stop him. Two minutes later, Megiolaro was flying to his right again, turning away a long-range shot from Reynoso that was bending inside the far post.

With five minutes to go, Lod had another golden chance, open 12 yards out — but once again Megiolaro was there to tip the shot over the crossbar.

"The second-half performance probably deserved a win," manager Adrian Heath said. "Their keeper's made three or four unbelievable saves."

Reynoso's night ended early, after Vazquez sent him off after another replay review in the 89th minute. Trying to lunge for a ball, Reynoso stepped on Szabolcs Schon's ankle, and will now be suspended for next Sunday's match against Colorado.

The clean sheet was Miller's 11th of the season, tying the team record held by Vito Mannone.

The Star Tribune did not travel for this game. This article was written using the television broadcast and video interviews before and/or after the game.