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Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Knocked from Playoff Contention with 3-1 Loss to D.C.

October 12, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


D.C. United earned its first-ever victory in Houston with a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium.

With the defeat, the Dynamo are eliminated from contention for the MLS Cup Playoffs. Houston will miss the postseason for the first time since 2010 and second time overall in nine seasons.

Houston will host the New England Revolution on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT at BBVA Compass Stadium for the final home game of the season.

The game was delayed in the 22nd minute by a weather delay due to lightning near BBVA Compass Stadium. After a 1-hour, 12-minute delay, the first weather delay in BBVA Compass Stadium history, the teams returned to the field to resume the game.

Before the delay, the Dynamo were forced to make a change in the 11th minute as defender DaMarcus Beasley exited the field with a leg injury and was replaced by Corey Ashe.

D.C. United opened the scoring in the 41st minute as Fabian Espindola played a cutting pass between the Dynamo backline and into the path of Chris Pontius, who forced a sliding save at the top of the box by Tyler Deric. The rebound fell to Taylor Kemp at the edge of the box and the left back drove a low shot in between several players and inside the far post for his first MLS goal.

Houston nearly equalized in the 58th minute, as Andrew Driver beat his man down the right flank and slid a low cross to the top of the box, where Brad Davis feigned a shot and left it for Giles Barnes, who forced a strong save from United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who dove to his left to parry the shot away.

United's second goal originated from a Dynamo free kick in the 64th minute. Davis' delivery was blocked by the leap of Espindola, who broke forward and received a quick outlet pass from Sean Franklin at midfield before driving in alone on the Dynamo goal and using a deft chip from 20 yards to beat Tyler Deric for a 2-0 advantage.

The Dynamo came close again in the 70th minute as Driver laid a pass back to Ricardo Clark, who drilled a shot from 25 yards off the top of the crossbar.

Houston was awarded a penalty kick in the 81st minute as Alexander Lopez delivered a corner kick and Franklin dragged down Ricardo Clark in the box.

Giles Barnes converted the spot kick, curling his shot to his right as Hamid dove the opposite way for his 10th goal of the season.

With ten goals, Barnes has set an MLS career-high for a single season, surpassing his 2013 total of nine.

Barnes also pulled even with Will Bruin for the club scoring lead this season.

United sealed the win in the 87th minute as substitute David Estrada sent a switching ball to the far edge of the box and Franklin slid a centering pass to Eddie Johnson, who finished from 10 yards for a 1-0 lead.

After Thursday's home game, the Dynamo will conclude the 2014 season with a road game against the Chicago Fire on Friday, Oct. 24.

Dynamo Milestones and notes:

It was Giles Barnes' 22nd career goal in all competitions with Houston to tie Stuart Holden for fifth on the club list.

Tyler Deric made seven saves to equal a career-high.

It was Brad Davis's 294th career MLS regular-season start to pass Mike Petke and tie Davy Arnaud, Nick Garcia and Jon Busch for 13th on the MLS all-time list.

It was Ricardo Clark's 155th career regular-season start with the Dynamo to tie Corey Ashe for third on the franchise list.

It was Barnes' 32nd regular-season starts this year to match an MLS career high, set in 2013.

It was Barnes's 75th career start in all competitions with the Dynamo.

Will Bruin entered as a substitute for his 134th career game in all competitions with Houston to equal Eddie Robinson for 11th on the club list.

It was Bruin's 25th regular-season game this year to reach 25 appearances for the fourth consecutive season.

It was Kofi Sarkodie's 100th career start in all competitions with the Dynamo.

It was also Sarkodie's 30th start this season to reach 30 for the second straight season.

Next Game: Thursday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. CT, Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston

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