MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Last Match Win Earns Dynamo Playoff Berth

Published on October 28, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


The Houston Dynamo secured a berth in the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-1 win at D.C. United on Sunday in the final regular season game of the season. Boniek Garcia and Giles Barnes scored first-half goals as Houston clinched the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Dynamo will host the Montreal Impact (No. 5 seed) on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT at BBVA Compass Stadium in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round, a one-game playoff. The winner of Wednesday's game will advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and will host the first leg of the two-game series against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Nov. 2 or Sunday, Nov. 3.

It is Houston's third consecutive appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs and the seventh playoff berth in eight seasons since the inaugural campaign in 2006.

The Dynamo entered Sunday tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the New England Revolution, but guaranteed a place in the playoffs with a victory. Houston's win, combined with the Chicago Fire's 5-2 loss at New York later Sunday ensured the Dynamo fourth place in the East. Houston (14-11-9; 51 points) finished the season tied with New England on 51 points, but fell to fourth place on the goals scored tiebreaker.

Houston opened the game with attacking intent and was rewarded in the 11th minute. Garcia lofted a well-placed ball to Barnes from the midfield line. Barnes fought off the challenge from D.C. defender James Riley and charged into the penalty area, where he was fouled from behind by Riley as the Dynamo were awarded a penalty kick.

Garcia buried the penalty, slotting it into the bottom-right corner, past the dive of United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, for a 1-0 lead and his third goal of the season.

Ten minutes later, goalkeeper Tally Hall preserved the lead, diving to his right to palm away a curling effort from Chris Korb.

United found the equalizer in the 27th minute. Chris Pontius floated a pinpoint cross the left side of the penalty area to the back post, where Porter rose and headed the delivery home from five yards.

Houston had two quality chances in the 39th minute, but both were stopped by quality saves from Hamid. First, Will Bruin broke free of his marker and fired a low shot that required a foot save from Hamid. The rebound fell to Brad Davis, who struck a low, hard shot from the top of the box that Hamid kept out of goal with a quick move to his left.

The resulting corner kick would pay dividends however as Davis curled a delivery to the front of the six-yard box, where Barnes snapped a header into the far side of the net for a game-winning goal.

It was Barnes' team-leading ninth goal of the season and clinched the English striker the Dynamo Budweiser Golden Boot, edging Bruin (8 goals) by one goal.

Barnes becomes the sixth Golden Boot winner in Dynamo history, joining Brian Ching (2010, 2009, 2008), Bruin (2012), Geoff Cameron (2011), Joseph Ngwenya (2007) and Dwayne De Rosario (2006).

It was Davis' ninth assist of the season and his 101st career regular season assist. Davis is now tied with Marco Etcheverry for sixth on the MLS all-time assist list.

Davis was the club leader in assists for the sixth consecutive season and seventh time in eight years.

Other Dynamo Milestones:

Goalkeeper Tally Hall played every minute of the regular season - 3,060 - to win the Dynamo Ironman of the Year Award. It is the third straight Ironman award for Hall, who played every minute of the season for the second time in his career (2011).

Hall made one save on Sunday to reach 300 career regular season saves. Hall also recorded 14 wins this season, matching a career-high set in 2012.

It was Corey Ashe's 170th career start in all competitions with the Dynamo. He is tied with Pat Onstad for fourth on the franchise list.

It was also Ashe's 30th regular season game this year to reach 30 games for the third straight season. Ashe also reached 2,585 minutes this season to surpass 2,500 minutes for the third consecutive season.

It was Barnes' ninth career regular season goal to tie Bobby Boswell and Brian Mullan for 10th on the club list. It was also his 10th goal in all competitions this season.

Barnes (2,561 minutes) also surpassed the 2,500 regular season minute mark.

Kofi Sarkodie played 90 minutes on Sunday and led all Dynamo field players with 2,948 minutes this season. Sarkodie started 33 of 34 regular season games, with his only absence due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Sunday was also Sarkodie's 50th career regular season game.

It was Ricardo Clark's 30 game this regular season to reach 30 games for the third time in his career and first since 2006.

It was Davis' 25th regular season start to reach 25 or more starts for the fifth straight season.

Next Match: MLS Cup Playoffs - Eastern Conference Knockout Round: Thursday, October 30, 7 p.m. CT, Houston Dynamo vs. Montreal Impact, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston

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