MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Fire defeat Dynamo

Published on October 25, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Omar Cummings scored in the first half but the Chicago Fire scored twice after halftime, including Florent Sinama-Pongolle's stoppage-time winner, for a 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Friday in the season finale at Toyota Park.

The defeat concludes the season for the Dynamo, who miss the postseason for the first time since 2010. It also marked the final game for Dominic Kinnear as Dynamo head coach as he leaves the club after nine seasons for the same position with the San Jose Earthquakes.

The Dynamo took control in the first half and finished the opening interval with an 8-1 advantage in shots on goal.

After Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson denied the Dynamo repeatedly, they broke through in the 18th minute. Cummings broke free on a corner kick from Brad Davis and guided a header inside the far post from six yards for a 1-0 advantage and his third goal of the season.

It was Davis' 112th career regular-season assist to tie Preki for fourth on the MLS all-time list.

Houston had several opportunities to extend the lead, including Boniek Garcia, who collected a poor clearance but was denied from five yards by Johnson in the 35th minute.

A minute later, AJ Cochran rose to drive a strong header from a Kofi Sarkodie cross and nearly scored, but Johnson pinned the ball against the post to make the save.

The Fire came to life in the second half and earned a penalty in the 65th minute. Substitute midfielder Grant Ward broke behind the backline and was tripped in the penalty area after goalkeeper Tyler Deric and defender Jermaine Taylor failed to clear the ball at the top of the box.

Jeff Larentowicz converted the spot kick, slotting the ball low and to his left for the equalizing goal.

Then, in stoppage time, Ward gained space near the corner flag and whipped a pinpoint cross toward the front of the six-yard box, where Sinama-Pongolle drove a low header inside the near post for the winning goal.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 25, 2014


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