As in their first meeting May 7 at RFK Stadium, D.C. United and FC Dallas huffed and puffed, but couldn't get the ball into their opponents' net, as both teams settled for a 0-0 draw Saturday night in the heat of Frisco, Texas.
Both sides had golden opportunities to take all three points in the second half. In the 56th minute, Brandon McDonald had a free header off an Andy Najar corner kick, but he could only direct it wide of Kevin Hartman's goal. FC Dallas' big moment came 10 minutes later, when Ethan White dawdled too long on the ball and was pick-pocketed by Marvin Chavez. With Jackson waiting to Chavez's left, D.C. United defenders in the striker's wake, and Bill Hamid racing off his line, Chavez decided to pull the trigger himself, only to watch as the ball went horribly wide.
Dallas had one more chance three minutes from the end of normal time, as Jair Benitez sent a dangerous ball into the penalty area from the left touchline. However, the Brazilian Jackson only got enough of the ball to redirect it over Hamid's dive and off the top of the crossbar.
D.C. United return to RFK to face the New England Revolution Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.