MLS: Columbus 1, Houston 1 (tie)

HOUSTON, March 21 (UPI) -- The Columbus Crew and the Houston Dynamo ended in a 1-1 tie on Saturday in their Major League Soccer season-opener.

Houston forward Brian Ching, the 2006 MLS Cup MVP, opened the scoring for the home side in the 53rd minute, but with less than 10 minutes left in the game, 2008 league and MLS Cup MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto scored to help the 2008 MLS champions earn the tie.

Ching toe-poked a shot past Columbus goalkeeper Will Hesmer, and after Jason Garey headed a long cross pass to Schelotto in the Dynamo penalty area, the Argentine veteran snapped a shot into the left post for the equalizer.

Houston winger Brad Davis just missed giving his team a 2-0 advantage in the 79th minute.

With the tie, both teams (0