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Houston Dynamo FC

LA Galaxy blankks Houston

May 23, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Alan Gordon's header in second-half stoppage time was the winner as the LA Galaxy secured a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo on Friday night at StubHub Center. The Galaxy held on after Oscar Sorto's foul of David Horst appeared to occur in the penalty area soon after Gordon's goal, but a penalty kick was not awarded.

Houston will return home to host Manchester City on Thursday, May 28 in the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup before traveling to face New York City FC on Saturday, May 30 at Yankee Stadium.

The veteran duo of Robbie Keane and Gordon entered the game in the second half and the pair combined on LA's winning goal two minutes into stoppage time. After Horst did well to block Keane's shot inside the penalty area, the Galaxy kept possession and Keane lofted a cross from the edge of the box toward the back post. Gordon rose above DaMarcus Beasley and lofted a header past Tyler Deric and inside the far post for the decisive goal.

The Dynamo gained a corner kick a minute after Gordon's goal and Brad Davis' delivery was punched clear by goalkeeper Jaime Penedo. The rebound rolled to the edge of the box, where Horst outran Sorto to claim the ball before the Galaxy defender slid and fouled Horst on the inside edge of the box.

Referee Ismail Elfath initially issued Sorto a yellow card for the hard challenge before showing a red card moments later. More importantly, the referee judged the challenge occurred outside the penalty area and awarded the Dynamo a free kick 20 yards from goal, rather than a penalty kick.

Davis' free kick was cleared by the Galaxy for the final play of the game.

Houston had a few good chances in the first half, including a well-weighted ball from Boniek Garcia that sprung Will Bruin, who forced a good save from Penedo.

The Dynamo counterattacked in the second half and nearly found a goal in the 89th minute as Nathan Sturgis clipped a ball to Giles Barnes at the edge of the box and Barnes beat his marker and charged to the endline before nearly sliding a pass to Ricardo Clark at the near post, but Penedo did enough to prevent Clark's shot.

The loss snaps Houston's two-game win streak this season and a five-game regular season unbeaten streak against the Galaxy dating to 2011.

Next game: Houston Dynamo vs. Manchester City (BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup) - Thursday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. CT, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas

Dynamo Milestones and notes:

It was Brad Davis' 350th career MLS regular-season game. He is the sixth player and fourth field player in league history to make 350 appearances.

Will Bruin reached 10,804 career minutes in all competitions with the Dynamo to surpass Eddie Robinson for 12th on the club list.

It was Ricardo Clark's 30th consecutive start, dating to July 4, 2014.

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