FRISCO – FC Dallas' biggest signing of 2008 became its biggest liability in the team's MLS regular-season opener.

Mexican defender Duilio Davino's mistake allowed Chivas USA to score a goal in the 84th minute, resulting in a 1-1 tie Sunday at Pizza Hut Park in front of an announced crowd of 17,540.

Davino did a poor job of trapping a loose ball near the edge of the 18-yard box. That created an opening for Chivas striker Maykel Galindo, who beat Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala for an unassisted goal.

"He [Davino] made one slip towards the end of the game, otherwise he had a solid performance for us," FC Dallas coach Steve Morrow said. "It was very unfortunate; he gave up one mistake, and it cost us at the end of the game."

Added Davino: "Pressure on defenders is like that. A mistake can cost you, and that's what happened."

It was Davino's first 90-minute match since his last appearance with Mexico's Club America in December in the South American Cup final.

Since joining FC Dallas in January, Davino was injured most of the preseason and was limited in exhibition games.

"He'll get better," Morrow said. "He missed a couple of weeks of training. He needs some match fitness. He'll get over it and continue to get better in the next few weeks."

Midfielder Juan Toja put Dallas ahead in the 21st minute. Bobby Rhine, a defender playing in the midfield, served a ball into the box, where forward Abe Thompson held off two Chivas defenders and fed the ball to Toja. With room to work, the Colombian playmaker ripped a left-footed shot past Chivas keeper Brad Guzan.

For much of the first half, Dallas played long balls to Thompson and fellow forward Kenny Cooper. According to Morrow, the tactic caused Thompson and Cooper to wear down late in the match.

Davino's costly second-half mistake wasn't his only miscue of the match. Just five minutes in, he made a poor back pass that almost resulted in a goal for Chivas.

"We cannot force Dario to be the star of the game," Davino said of his goalkeeper, who made seven saves. "We have to help him a lot more."