While the Houston Dynamo caused few problems for FC Dallas on the pitch on Sunday night, Toyota Stadium security had their hands full with several incidents that culminated in the mass removal of the visiting supporters' section with around 15 minutes of the game left to play.

Us getting removed. Not my video. pic.twitter.com/vj1OiBEUTH — Ben (@PanicDynamic) August 26, 2019

This was the scene as security staff, as well as Frisco PD officers, requested that Dynamo fans retreat to their chartered buses which were parked a short distance from the east gate, close to the section.

This is highly unusual, typically away fans are held in the stadium to allow home fans to disperse.

There have been several incidents in Texas Derby games held at Toyota Stadium in recent years. Two years ago Houston fans set off three pyrotechnic devices within an exclusion zone surrounding an egress point, as defined by the Frisco fire marshal. This action by the El Batallon group saw both they and Texian Army sanctioned as Houston's two recognized Supporters' Groups. Houston fans have been both ejected and arrested for their part in physical confrontations during games, and this happened again. Public records from the City of Frisco indicate at least one arrest made during the second half of Sunday's game, while fan accounts point to at least five incidents in addition to beer cups being thrown from the visiting supporters' section.

All it takes is some research. They had a reason to be taken out early. (Also not my video) pic.twitter.com/VTBfDlQZ5E — Peter J. Smith (@peters629) August 26, 2019

With these in mind a decision was made between Toyota Stadium security, as well as the Houston Dynamo's supporter liaison at the game, to prevent further escalation. A number of things are taken into consideration including the presence of an official mode of transport in the chartered buses, and the point in the game where the result was effectively secure. Houston fans were told they were being removed for their safety, with fans threatened with arrest if they did not comply.

"We're escorting you out because we want you to be safe. We want to be able to protect you from our fans." -@FCDallas security



I'm not coming here again. #FCDvHOU #HoustonDynamo #MLS #soccer #TexasDerby — AsianAdidasGirl (@AsianAdidasGirl) August 26, 2019

The Texian Army supporters' group, Houston's largest supporters group and a member of the Independent Supporters Council are collaborating with fellow ISC members, the Dallas Beer Guardians and Austin Anthem, to work towards the eradication of such issues for future games in all three stadiums. FC Dallas fans have run into similar issues at BBVA Stadium in the past, most notably when led through a crowd of Dynamo fans where several fans from both sides scuffled at the conclusion of a game. The Dynamo group also released a statement on Sunday's events in relation to the security call with FC Dallas before the game.

Here is our public statement regarding the events that occurred at the FC Dallas game on August 25th, 2019. https://t.co/HEea90wm9y pic.twitter.com/znLTnMGoMj — Texian Army (@TexianArmy) August 27, 2019

Both clubs also released statements on the matter.

Houston Dynamo Statement:

"Everyone in our club is extremely appreciative of the large number of loyal and vocal Dynamo supporters who traveled up to Frisco on Sunday night to support our team, and we obviously wish we had given them a better result on the field. Unfortunately, as the game progressed, a small number of incidents occurred between fans of both teams. The Toyota Stadium security staff and local law enforcement recommended - in the interest of fan safety - that our fans be escorted out of the facility prior to the end of the match in order to prevent any further escalation. Taking that recommendation into consideration, along with the scoreline at the time, our staff agreed to assist in the interest of everyone's safety and security."

FC Dallas Statement:

"Our primary goal at Toyota Stadium is to ensure the safety and security of all fans, guests and visiting supporters who attend FC Dallas matches.

During the FC Dallas/Houston Dynamo match on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Toyota Stadium there were a number of incidents involving fans of both teams, including physical altercations among the Houston supporters as well as incidents involving FC Dallas fans.

After consulting with the visiting supporters' liaison and Soccer Security Agent as well as local law enforcement, Toyota Stadium security and the Dynamo supporters' representative mutually agreed it was in the best interest of all parties involved that the visiting supporters be escorted from the stadium.

This decision was made in the 76th minute of the match. The exit process began in the 80th minute of the match. The visiting supporters loaded onto their buses without incident."

It remains to be seen whether any further sanctions are made against traveling Dynamo fans, or against FC Dallas for the handling of that situation. MLS has restructured its security management following the departure of SVP of Security and Operations Ray Whitworth. This will be both a test of the new regime's tolerance as well as a welcome break from the self-inflicted Iron Front uproar that has seen fans including in Dallas display the Iron Front symbol in open defiance of what is seen as a draconian rule within the league's new Fan Code of Conduct.