FC Dallas defender (24) gives the ball a header to try and get it away from the San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza during the second half of action at Toyota Stadium in Frisco on Sat Sep 11, 2021 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

FRISCO, Texas.—The San Jose Earthquakes scored early but couldn’t hold their lead in the second half as they battled to a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday evening at Toyota Stadium.

San Jose are unbeaten in 11 of its past 12 matches. FC Dallas are 1-1-2 in its past four games.

San Jose (6-8-9-27 points) drew first blood early in the match when FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges was whistled for a hand ball inside the box for a penalty kick in the fourth minute.

Oswaldo Alanis converted the penalty firing a shot right right down the middle as FC Dallas goalie Phelipe Megiolaro guessed wrong and dove to the left in the sixth minute. Alanis scored his second goal of the season. Both of his goals have come on the penalty against FC Dallas.

FC Dallas (6-10-8-26 points) generated quality scoring chances in the first 45 minutes against San Jose. However Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski frustrated the home team by stopping each scoring chance that resulted on a shot on goal. Marcinkowski’s best save came in the 40th minute when Jesús Ferreira was open in the middle of the box. Ferreria’s shot attempt was knocked away at the last second by the right hand of Marcinkowski. The ensuing rebound was cleared away by San Jose.

FC Dallas won the possession battle with a 60%-40% edge and generated 12 shot attempts in the first half.

FC Dallas scored the equalizer early in the second half as they carried the momentum they had in the first half to start the final 45 minutes. Justin Che serviced the ball inside the box where Ricardo Pepi headed home the ball past Marcinkowski for his team leading 12th goal of the season in the 50th minute.

San Jose came within inches of regaining the lead in the 58th minute. Chofis sent in a corner kick over to a wide open Chris Wondolowski on the left side. The All-time goal scorer in MLS history sent a header off the crossbar and the rebound was cleared away by FC Dallas.

Two minutes later, Marcinkowski was a thorn in Ferreira side once again as he stoned Ferreira’s shot attempt from point-blank range in the 60th minute.

Both teams had scoring chances late in stoppage time but neither converted their free kicks.

Marcinkowski was the man of the match as he finished the match with six saves on seven shots on target. Megiolaro made one save on two shots on target.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. FC Dallas had eight.

Each team were issued two yellow cards.

The Quakes hold an all-time record of 29-20-18 against FC Dallas, including an unbeaten record of 4-0-4 in their last seven meetings. That unbeaten streak includes four matches played at Toyota Stadium (2-0-2).

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday 9/15 at 7:30pm