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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Houston blanks Revolution

March 9, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Will Bruin scored two goals in the first 13 minutes and added an assist 10 minutes later as the Houston Dynamo rolled to a 4-0 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium to open the 2014 season.

It was the Dynamo's largest opening-day victory in franchise history and the attendance of 22,320 set a BBVA Compass Stadium record.

Just 63 seconds into the game, Bruin delivered Houston a 1-0 lead. Bruin played the ball from the middle of the field out wide to the right flank, where Tony Cascio played a short pass to Kofi Sarkodie, who immediately drove a cross back to Bruin. The forward settled the cross with one touch and then cracked a half-volley from the top of the penalty area across his body and inside the far post for the opening goal.

The goal - unofficially 63 seconds into the game - is the second-fastest goal in Dynamo history after Craig Waibel scored 47 seconds into a game against Colorado on Oct. 14, 2006.

Houston doubled its lead 11 minutes later. Left back Corey Ashe intercepted a pass in the offensive half and quickly drove a perfect cross toward the back post, where Bruin met the ball with a slide and outstretched right leg to finish from four yards for a 2-0 lead.

It was Bruin's seventh career multi-goal game in all competitions and first since he scored twice in a 3-0 Knockout Round win over Montreal to open the 2013 postseason.

With the two goals, Bruin also surpassed Dwayne De Rosario for third on the franchise list for goals in all competitions with 33.

It was Ashe's 25th career assist in all competitions. He is fourth on the club's all-time list.

Houston's third goal began with a goal kick from Tally Hall in the 23rd minute. Brad Davis received the restart and played a first-touch centering pass to Bruin, who drove to the edge of the penalty area and drew two defenders before squaring a pass for Boniek Garcia. The Honduras international used a nifty touch to get past a defender before driving a shot past Bobby Shuttleworth for a 3-0 lead.

It was Garcia's 11th career goal in all competitions with Houston to vault Andre Hainault and Dominic Oduro and tie Giles Barnes for 14th on the club scoring list.

It was Bruin's 13th career regular season assist to tie Stuart Holden, Richard Mulrooney and Ricardo Clark for sixth on the franchise list.

After halftime, each team had chances, including Bruin with an opportunity for his second career hat trick. Bruin timed his run well to stay onside and took a through ball in alone on Shuttleworth, who reacted quickly with his right hand to prevent Bruin from recording his third goal of the night.

New England had a chance in the 67th minute as a header fell to Jerry Bengtson inside the six-yard box, but the Honduras international drove his shot over the crossbar.

Five minutes later substitute midfilder Andrew Driver took a pinpoint cross from Davis and curled a goal-bound effort from 15 yards toward the far post but Shuttleworth dove to his right to make the save.

In the 82nd minute, Revolution midfielder Diego Fagundez nearly scored, curling a well-struck shot from 25 yards toward the upper corner before it crashed off the crossbar.

Houston's final goal began with Garcia buying time on the outside of the penalty area before laying a back heel off for Clark. The midfielder drove a shot from 25 yards that deflected off Omar Cummings' head and into the net for a 4-0 win.

It was Cummings' 40th career regular season goal.

It was Clark's 15th career assist in all competitions with Houston to tie Mulrooney for eighth on the franchise list. It was also his 13th career regular season assist with the Dynamo to tie Holden, Mulrooney and Bruin for sixth on the franchise list.

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