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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Tops Sporting Kansas City 2-1

July 18, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


The Houston Dynamo seized another important win on Wednesday night, a 2-1 triumph over first-place Sporting Kansas City to pull within five points of the Eastern Conference leaders. Two goals from Calen Carr were enough for Houston, which took advantage of a red card to Sporting Kansas City's Peterson Joseph moments before halftime to extend its unbeaten run to five games.

It was Carr's first two-goal game in regular season play in his MLS career. It was Carr's first start since June 16, when he injured his hamstring in a win over FC Dallas.

The Dynamo improved to 6-0-3 in regular season games at BBVA Compass Stadium and increased their home unbeaten streak to 18 games since their last defeat, June 18, 2011.

Tonight's match marked the second meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals in 11 days, after the clubs drew 0-0 on July 7 in Kansas City.

Carr handed the Dynamo an early lead in the 25th minute, converted a long passing sequence from the Dynamo, which reached its final stages when Andre Hainault found Will Bruin 25 yards from goal. Bruin beat two Kansas City defenders on the dribble before slipping a perfect pass to the feet of Carr, who tucked a neat finish inside the far post, past Jimmy Nielsen's dive, for a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes before halftime, Hainault took down Sporting KC forward Jacob Peterson in the box for a penalty. Former Dynamo forward Kei Kamara converted the spot kick for his seventh goal of the year to tie the game.

Two minutes into first half stoppage time, Joseph delivered a two-foot challenge on Carr from behind, and was issued a red card by referee Mark Kadlecik.

The Dynamo dominated possession in the second half but were unable to convert for a winning goal until the 79th minute.

Carr started the winning play with a good turn at the top of the box before finding Brad Davis alone near the outside edge of the penalty area. Davis drove a pass low, across the top of the six-yard box and it deflected off a Sporting KC defender before it hit Carr, who was charging toward goal when it hit his leg and rolled inside the post for the winning goal. The two goals were Carr's first of the season.

The winning goal was Davis' 86th assist in his MLS career, with the veteran midfielder tying Andy Williams for eighth on the all-time league assist list. It was Davis' sixth assist of the season.

It was defender Bobby Boswell's 163rd start for the Dynamo in all competitions to tie Brian Mullan for third on the franchise list. Boswell has also played full-time in 30 consecutive MLS games, dating to Sept. 14, 2011 at Columbus.

The Dynamo had their largest percentage of possession on the season, with 71% on the night.

The Dynamo (8-5-7; 31 points) move into a tie for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with the Chicago Fire and have a better goal differential than the Fire (Houston: +3, Chicago: 0).

The Dynamo will attempt to close out the three-game homestand with a third win on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium with a match against the Montreal Impact.

Next Match: Saturday, July 21, 7:30 p.m. CT - Houston Dynamo vs. Montreal Impact, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston

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