HOUSTON – For once, FC Dallas didn't leave Houston with a loss.

It didn't win, either.

The Dynamo's Geoff Cameron scored in stoppage time, erasing FC Dallas' one-goal lead, and the teams ended in a 3-3 tie before a crowd of 20,102 on Sunday afternoon at Robertson Stadium.

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FC Dallas' Drew Moor challenges Houston's Franco Caraccio for possession of the ball.

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The tie leaves FC Dallas (0-0-2) still searching for its first win in Houston, where it is 0-6-1 .

"We're very disappointed; it feels like a loss," FC Dallas coach Steve Morrow said. "I think we could have had the game won by [the time of Cameron's goal]. We had two or three chances to go up 4-2, and we could have finished off the game, so we're disappointed to give up a goal so late."

FC Dallas' offense was led by forwards Kenny Cooper and Arturo Alvarez, who combined to score all three of its goals. The two made life miserable for Dynamo goalkeeper Tony Caig, who made his MLS debut in the 28th minute after starter Pat Onstad went down with a right shoulder injury.

With FC Dallas trailing 1-0 in the 35th minute, Cooper took a long pass from midfielder Andre Rocha and flicked a shot into the net, well over the reach of Caig, who was out about 14 yards from the goal.

Cooper put FC Dallas ahead with his second goal in the 45th minute. This was the first time Cooper has scored twice in a game.

The defending MLS champion Dynamo (0-1-1) received a gift when FC Dallas defender Drew Moor knocked in an own goal in the 57th minute, but Alvarez, a Houston native, scored from the left side a minute later to put FC Dallas ahead 3-2.

Although FC Dallas couldn't maintain its lead, a few players remained upbeat.

"It was a tight game, and I think we showed a lot of character on a couple of occasions to come back in the game and then to go ahead," Cooper said.

"Unfortunately, they scored in the end, but it's a strong team, and we picked up a valuable point down here."

Ronnie Turner is a freelance writer in Houston.

FIRST-HALF SCORING – 1, Houston, Caraccio 1 (Ashe), 21st minute. 2, FC Dallas, Cooper 1 (Rocha), 35th. 3, FC Dallas, Cooper 2 (Toja, Alvarez), 45th.

SECOND-HALF SCORING – 4, Houston, Own Goal (Drew Moor) 57th. 5, FC Dallas, Alvarez 1 (Ricchetti), 58th. 6, Houston, Cameron 1 (Ching), 91st.

FC DALLAS – Dario Sala, Adrian Serioux, Duilio Davino, Drew Moor, Blake Wagner, Pablo Ricchetti, Andre Rocha, Dax McCarty, Juan Toja (Dominic Oduro 74), Arturo Alvarez (Ricardinho 80), Kenny Cooper (Anthony Wallace 87).

HOUSTON – Pat Onstad (Tony Caig 28), Craig Waibel, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett (Brad Davis 78), Geoff Cameron, Dwayne De Rosario, Richard Mulrooney, Corey Ashe, Franco Carachio (Brian Mullan 70), Brian Ching.

CAUTIONS – FC Dallas: Juan Toja (yellow card) 70. Houston: Wade Barrett (yellow card) 72.

EJECTIONS – None.

REFEREE – Abiodun Okulaja.

A – 20,102 (25,576).