MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Bruin Lifts Dynamo 1-0, into First Place Tie

Published on May 8, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Will Bruin scored his sixth goal of the season, the game-winner from a Brad Davis delivery, as the Houston Dynamo moved into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-0 win over the Columbus Crew on Wednesday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

The Dynamo (4-4-2; 14 points) are in a four-way tie for first place in the East with Sporting Kansas City, the New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls.

Houston continues the three-game home stand on Sunday against Real Salt Lake at 6 p.m. before hosting the LA Galaxy (May 17).

After the game remained scoreless into the 50th minute, Corey Ashe and Brad Davis combined well down the left flank to gain a free kick near the corner. Davis delivered the set piece toward the front post and Will Bruin directed a header into the far side of the net for a 1-0 lead and the eventual winning goal.

It was Bruin's third straight game with a goal and team-leading sixth goal of the season.

Bruin now leads MLS with three game-winning goals and is tied for third in the league's scoring race.

It was Davis' fourth assist of the season, with all four in his last five games. Davis is tied for the league assist lead.

It was also Davis' fifth consecutive game with a goal or assist after he scored at Chivas USA on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Tally Hall made a season-high six saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season. Hall is tied for the MLS shutout lead with Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Eric Kronberg.

Hall's first important save came in the 25th minute, when he established good position and stopped Jairo Arrieta's low, driven shot from the top of the box.

Hall's biggest save of the night arrived five minutes later off a Columbus corner kick. Federico Higuain delivered the set piece and Agustin Viana flicked a header into the center of the six-yard box, where it took a deflection and was bound for goal before Hall dove to his right and made a great save with an outstretched arm.

Dynamo midfielder Servando Carrasco came close in the 54th minute, collecting the ball at the top of the box after a nice sequence between Kofi Sarkodie, Boniek Garcia and Davis. Carrasco's bending effort curled past the far post.

Hall frustrated the Crew once more in the 58th minute. Waylon Francis drilled a shot from 30 yards though a crowd of players and Hall kept his sight of the shot, diving back and to his left to palm it over the cross bar for a corner kick.

The Crew came closest to scoring in the 84th minute. Substitute midfielder Justim Meram led a counterattack and drilled a shot from 25 yards that struck the front of the left post and bounced out.

The Dynamo created a late chance in second-half stoppage time. Substitute forward Mark Sherrod drove past his marker at the edge of the box and slipped a pinpoint pass to Andrew Driver at the top of the box. Driver's low shot was blocked by goalkeeper Steve Clark.

Dynamo Milestones:

It was left back Corey Ashe's 200th career regular game with the Dynamo. Ashe is the second Houston player to appear in 200 regular season games, joining Brad Davis (223).

It was Will Bruin's 37th career goal in all competitions with the Dynamo. He trails Brad Davis (38) by one goal for second on the club scoring list.

It was Tally Hall's 116th career regular season game to tie Geoff Cameron for eighth on the club list.

It was Bruin's 97th career regular season game to pass Eddie Robinson for 12th on the club list.

It was also Bruin's 117th career game in all competitions with Houston to pass Craig Waibel for 14th on the club list.

Kofi Sarkodie played 90 minutes to surpass 5,000 career regular season minutes (5,027).

Next Match: Sunday, May 11, 6 p.m. CT, Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston

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