MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Cummings' Extra-Time Goal Lifts Dynamo past Red Bulls

Published on November 7, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Omar Cummings scored 14 minutes into extra time and the Houston Dynamo advanced to the Eastern Conference Championship with a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night at Red Bulls Arena. Combined with Sunday's 2-2 draw in the first leg, the Dynamo won the aggregate series 4-3 to advance to their third consecutive Eastern Conference Championship and sixth conference championship in eight years.

The Dynamo will host Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CT at BBVA Compass Stadium. Sporting Kansas City advanced with a 4-3 aggregate series win over the New England Revolution.

The Dynamo and Red Bulls were tied 1-1 on the night and 3-3 in the aggregate series at the end of 90 minutes. In the first of two 15-minute periods of extra time, Houston seized its first lead of the series in the 104th minute. Boniek Garcia lofted a well-weighted pass behind the New York defense and Kofi Sarkodie delivered a pinpoint cross from the endline to Cam Weaver, who headed the ball across the six-yard box. Cummings fought between two Red Bull defenders to slip a shot inside the near post for the series-winning goal.

It was Cummings' second goal of the series after he scored the equalizing goal in stoppage time on Sunday. It was his third career MLS Cup Playoff goal.

It was Weaver's first career playoff assist as the Dynamo substitutes combined to score the vital goal.

It was also Sarkodie's first career playoff assist.

Houston fell behind in the 23rd minute when goalkeeper Tally Hall mishandled a cross and New York forward Bradley Wright-Phillips collected the loose ball and finished from close range.

The goal gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead in the game and 3-2 lead in the series.

The Dynamo responded 13 minutes later. Brad Davis intercepted a pass from New York defender Ibrahim Sekagya on the edge of the penalty area and calmly slotted a shot inside the left post for the tying goal.

It was Davis' third career playoff goal (and first since 2007) to tie Andre Hainault for third on the franchise list.

Hall compensated for his rare mistake with several important saves, including a great reaction stop in the 44th minute when Thierry Henry sent a volley toward goal and Tim Cahill used a deft touch to redirect the hard shot toward the side of the net.

The clubs went to halftime tied 1-1 on the night and 3-3 in the series.

Henry threatened again in the 65th minute, heading a long throw-in off the cross bar.

Ten minutes later, the French forward came close once again, settling a long, flighted ball before switching feet and firing a left-footed shot past the upper corner.

Hall made another important save three minutes later. Cahill met a long cross with a strong header that bounced off the forehead of Dynamo forward Giles Barnes and was goal-bound before Hall reacted quickly again, diving to his right to keep the score level.

Hall met Henry again in the 90th minute. Henry struck a bicycle kick from 12 yards that was kept out by Hall at the far post.

In all, Hall made eight saves to improve to 8-3-2 in the playoffs in his career.

Wednesday's 2-1 triumph was Houston's first-ever road win against New York. The Dynamo were 0-6-4 in ten previous road games (including playoffs).

After Saturday's first leg in Houston, the second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship is Saturday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. CT at Sporting Park in Kansas City.

The Dynamo are 4-1 all-time in conference championships, with victories in 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2012.

The 2013 Eastern Conference Championship marks the third straight season Houston and Sporting Kansas City have met in the playoffs. The Dynamo secured a 2-0 single-leg win in the 2011 Eastern Conference Championship before registering a 2-1 aggregate series victory in the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Dynamo are now 14-4 all-time in playoff series (includes one-game playoffs).

Houston is now 5-6-4 all-time in road playoff games.

The Dynamo are 4-1 all-time in playoff games that reached extra time, including the 2006 MLS Cup Final (vs. New England), the 2007 Western Conference Semifinal (vs. FC Dallas) and 2009 Western Conference Semifinal (vs. Seattle).

Other Dynamo Milestones:

It was Brad Davis' 25th career playoff game with the Dynamo. He is the first Houston player to appear in 25 playoff games.

It was Ricardo Clark's 175th career start in all competitions with the Dynamo. He is the third Dynamo player to reach 175 starts, joining Brad Davis and Bobby Boswell.

It was also Clark's 16th career playoff start with Houston to tie Brian Ching for third on club list.

It was Corey Ashe's 13th career playoff start with Houston (along with Tally Hall) to tie Pat Onstad and Brian Mullan for fifth on the franchise list.

Ashe (1,299 career playoff minutes) also surpassed Mullan and Onstad for fifth on the club's playoff minutes list.

It was Tally Hall's 13th career playoff start with Houston tie Mullan and Onstad for fifth on the franchise list (with Ashe).

It was Will Bruin's 12th career playoff game with the Dynamo to pass Eddie Robinson, Stuart Holden and Wade Barrett for ninth on the club list.

Next Match: MLS Cup Playoffs - Eastern Conference Championship, Leg 1: Saturday, Nov. 9, 1:30 p.m. CT, Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX

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