Dynamo tie Whitecaps 1-1 in 1st game without Coyle as coach

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Defender DaMarcus Beasley scored in the 20th minute to help the Houston Dynamo tie the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 on Saturday.

With assistant coaches Wade Barrett, Paul Caffrey and Paul Rogers directing the team following head coach Owen Coyle's resignation Wednesday, the Dynamo improved to 3-7-3 overall and 0-6-1 on the road.

Houston opened the scoring on a pretty pass from midfielder Alex. The Brazilian slipped a ball between two defenders to an open Beasley. He then beat goalkeeper David Ousted for his first goal of the season.

Octavio Rivero tied it for Vancouver (6-6-3) in the 53rd minute. Rivero settled down a loose ball, then boomed a right-footed shot from about 10 yards out that twisted into the net past the outstretched fingers of goalkeeper Tyler Deric. It was the second goal of the year for the designated player from Uruguay.

Tempers flared near the end of the first half. Houston's Alex threw a punch and kicked at Vancouver midfielder Pedro Morales. Morales kicked back at Alex and teammates had to restrain both players. Referee Drew Fischer gave both red cards, forcing the teams to play the rest of the game with 10 players each.