MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Close 2013 Home Slate with 3-0 Defeat

Published on October 20, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


The Houston Dynamo fell to the New York Red Bulls, 3-0, on Sunday afternoon in the final regular season game of the season at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Entering the final game of the regular season next Sunday at D.C. United, the Dynamo (13-11-9; 48 points) are tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the New England Revolution (13-11-9; 48 points), but trail the Revolution on the goals scored tiebreaker for the final playoff spot in the East.

For Houston to secure a place in the playoffs, it needs to defeat D.C. United next Sunday and have one of three teams - the Montreal Impact, Chicago Fire or New England Revolution - lose or draw its final game of the season next weekend. Montreal visits Toronto FC on Saturday while Chicago plays at New York and New England visits Columbus on Sunday. The Dynamo can also gain a playoff berth with a draw at D.C. United and a loss by New England plus a loss or tie by the Philadelphia Union in its home game against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.

The Red Bulls seized an early lead in the first minute of the game. New York forward Tim Cahill collected a forward ball moments after the opening kickoff and rifled a half volley from 25 yards into the upper corner for a 1-0 lead. The goal occurred eight seconds into the game for the fastest goal in MLS history.

Houston pressed for the equalizer in the first half and had chances, including opportunities for Boniek Garcia (14th minute), Kofi Sarkodie (30th minute) and Warren Creavalle (34th minute).

Seven minutes after halftime, Will Bruin pressured New York defender Jamison Olave into a soft back pass that forced a sliding clearance from goalkeeper Luis Robles, who rolled through Bruin's ankle on his save.

The Dynamo came close again seven minutes later. Giles Barnes took a header from Ricardo Clark and burst through the middle of the field before sliding a pass to Kofi Sarkodie. The right back served a quality ball to Boniek Garcia, who snapped a header just wide of the left post.

New York doubled its lead in the 65th minute. A corner kick resulted in New York's Peguy Luyindula heading the ball from the top of the penalty area toward goal, where Ibrahim Sekagya nodded it home for a 2-0 lead.

The Dynamo continued to search for a goal and Bruin had two chances, but each slid past the far post for a near miss.

The Red Bulls capped the scoring when Jermaine Taylor's clearance caromed off Corey Ashe and into the path of Bradley Wright-Phillips, who converted the chance for a 3-0 win.

Three minutes later, Garcia sent a curling shot from 25 yards toward the far corner, but Robles dove far and palmed it wide for a corner kick.

The Dynamo had more chances, including a low shot from Sarkodie that sailed wide, and a close-range header from Omar Cummings that bounced wide of the goal.

The defeat snapped Houston's unbeaten streak at five games in MLS play (3-0-2) and six games in all competitions.

The Dynamo (7 points) will face Arabe Unido (6 points) of Panama on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT in the final CONCACAF Champions League group stage game for both clubs. With a win or a tie, the Dynamo will win Group 1 and advance to the quarterfinals, set for next March.

The Dynamo will complete the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 27 with a road game at D.C. United (12:30 p.m. CT kickoff; NBC).

Next Match: Thursday, October 24, 7 p.m. CT, Arabe Unido vs. Houston Dynamo, Estadio Armando Dely Valdes, Colon, Panama, CONCACAF Champions League groupe stage (Game 4 of 4)

Next MLS Match: Sunday, October 27, 12:30 p.m. CT, D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo, RFK Stadium Washington, D.C.

Milestones:

It was Bobby Boswell's 175th career regular season start with the Dynamo to become the second player to reach 175 regular season starts with Houston (Brad Davis).

It was Ricardo Clark's 171st career start in all competitions with the Dynamo to pass Pat Onstad for third on the franchise list.

It was also Clark's 137th career regular season game with Houston to pass Brian Mullan and Pat Onstad for fifth on the franchise list.

Brad Davis played in his 25th game this regular season. It is the sixth consecutive season, and ninth overall, that Davis has appeared in 25 regular season games.

It was Tally Hall's 105th career regular season game to pass Andre Hainault for ninth on the club list.

It was Will Bruin's 81st career regular season start to pass Richard Mulrooney for 13th on the club list.

It was Boniek Garcia's 50th career game with the Dynamo in all competitions.

Jermaine Taylor played 90 minutes to reach 2,052 minutes this season and surpass 2,000 for the second straight season.

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