Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo played out a 1-1 draw in their MLS Eastern Conference clash at Columbus Crew Stadium.
The visitors could have been ahead in the fifth minute when Will Bruin raided down the left and lifted a cross which Jason Johnson volleyed just over the bar.
Houston took the lead when Warren Creavalle turned in Kofi Sarkodie's cross from the right as he placed the ball into bottom corner out of the reach of Andy Gruenebaum.
The home side could have been level just minutes later when Jairo Arrieta looped a shot over the head of Tally Hall, but the keeper did well to get back and knock the ball clear before it crossed the line.
Hall was in action soon after as he produced a good double save to first deny Federico Higuain from distance and then an Arrieta rebound effort.
Columbus's persistence paid off in the second half when they were awarded a penalty when Andrew Driver brought down Chad Barson in the area. Higuain duly smashed the spot kick into the net beating Hall.
The Crew could have taken the lead when Higuain cut inside on his right foot and curled the ball on goal over Hall, but his effort clattered off the inside of the post and bounced clear.
Both sides pressed for a winner but couldn't find another breakthrough as they settled for a point apiece.
Simon Sinclair
