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Tai Baribo's header in the 78th minute allowed D.C. United to escape with a 1-1 away draw against the host Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.
D.C. United recorded their only shot on target in the 78th minute, but the long wait ended with Baribo's team-leading ninth goal.
A long throw-in bounced off a scrum of players in the box, and Nathan Ordaz's header sent the ball in Baribo's direction. Baribo's own header from close range snuck into the bottom left corner for the equalizer.
D.C. (4-5-7, 19 points) has lost just once in its last nine (2-1-6) regular-season matches, but the club hasn't been efficient in maximizing points. D.C. United and Toronto FC share the league lead with seven draws this season.
Hector Herrera scored for the Dynamo (7-6-2, 23 points), who are 3-0-1 in their last four regular-season home matches.
The Dynamo held 64% of the possession in the match, and outshot D.C. by a 20-9 margin (5-1 in shots on target). Despite all this control, Houston didn't have many clear scoring chances, though Herrera delivered in the 40th minute.
A curling Jack McGlynn free kick from the near side of the field was deflected off the player wall, putting the ball right at Herrera's feet at the edge of the box. The midfielder clinically deposited the shot for his second goal of the season.
Mateusz Bogusz led Houston with two shots on target, including a strong attempt in the 47th minute that required an impressive stop from D.C. goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
Ordaz received an assist just nine minutes after coming on as a substitute for his first match with D.C. United. The striker was acquired in a trade from Los Angeles FC on July 13.
Midfielder Andre Dozzell also played 88 minutes in his first match since signing with D.C. in May. Newly acquired Houston striker Duncan McGuire played 59 minutes in his Dynamo debut.
Both D.C. and Houston were playing their first regular-season matches since May 23, prior to MLS going on hiatus for the FIFA World Cup
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