But, mistakes from keeper Milos Kocic, who took a knee to the head in the first half and was bleeding from both nostrils, and defender Logan Emory helped undo Toronto FC’s efforts for the evening.

Yet just when it seemed as TFC had once again fallen apart late, Dunfield saved the day for the home side.

Toronto FC looked worn out in a 3-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Union, Sunday afternoon. The Reds lost individual battle after individual battle, gave the ball away cheaply and the Union regularly got its attackers round back of the TFC defensive four.

The Reds were not able to pull out a win but still managed a positive result on the road to earn deserved 1-1 draw against FC Dallas in hot and humid conditions in Frisco, Tex.

"The young back four are learning really quick," said Toronto head coach Paul Mariner. "I thought that was the best performance of the back four today."

Team president Joey Saputo shared his displeasure with the evening’s entertainment, tweeting a short and far from sweet “Absolute disgrace, enough said,” at the conclusion of play.

It hasn't taken Paul Mariner long to master the initiation of any Toronto FC head coach: watching his team give away points thank to stoppage-time allowances.

But it all came undone as poor defending gave Houston the opportunity to steal a point at home on a hot, humid night in its brand new BBVA Compass Stadium.

The streak is over. Toronto FC finally got on the board for the 2012 MLS campaign, winning a 1-0 result over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday at BMO Field that ended the Reds' record stretch of nine consecutive losses to begin the season.

"It's just unbearable," said striker Ryan Johnson. "Something's not right. Something has to change. I can't go on like this, it's eating me up inside."