Houston Dynamo came out of their two-week break in roaring fashion, beginning their drive for a potential MLS Cup repeat with a 3-0 victory against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Orange got goals from Dwayne DeRosario in first-half stoppage time, Eddie Robinson in the 53rd minute and Stuart Holden in the 84th. Once again, the Dynamo back line was rock-solid, limiting FCD to just one shot in the first half and shutting out the Hoops for the third time in four games this year.
"I don't think we have mastery over any team in this league, to be honest," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "As the game went on, we knew they were going to throw more guys forward and that can make it tough for the defense. So, you need to make sure that when you do win the ball, you try and get it up the field as quickly as possible and leave those guys behind. Defensively, we were pretty solid and we took our chances."
Following a solid round of practices after their last game, a 3-1 win against the LA Galaxy on Sept. 16 at The Home Depot Center, Kinnear expected a great effort Sunday.
"I think the practices leading up to this game were very good," he said. "We had Thursday off and I didn't want to stop training because I thought the guys were working so hard and playing so well. I think the way we played, especially in the second half, we did well. I'm not surprised by it."
After a busy summer that included games in the U.S. Open Cup, SuperLiga and for many Houston players, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, De Rosario feels that the break was definitely a welcome one for him and his teammates.
"To be fair, we needed the break," the Canadian international said. "A lot of us played in Gold Cup, SuperLiga, Open Cup and never really got a break. I think it was well-deserved. We really worked hard during that break. It really wasn't a break because we had some tough sessions, which were focused on preparing for Dallas and the playoffs. We still have a few games left but wanted to come in here and get a great result. The way we fought here as a team was great and really made a statement."
Both De Rosario and Robinson were clearly pleased with the result, especially considering that the win left Houston with 48 points, tying them with Chivas USA for the Western Conference lead.
"Winning 3-0 in Dallas is not easy and we accomplished a great victory tonight," De Rosario said. "This is all preparation for the playoffs. Anytime you get a chance to win 3-0 away from home, it makes a statement throughout the league."
Robinson added: "I think it was good for us," he said. "We know that Chivas has a game in hand over us at the top of the table. We were three points down coming in and now we're tied with them. We have played well against them this year and have beaten them twice this year. We go there for our final game of the season."
The only down point for Dynamo happened in the final minute, when holding midfielder Ricardo Clark and FCD striker Carlos Ruiz were both sent off by referee Jorge Gonzalez after they scrapped in the 89th minute.
"I'm not happy," Kinnear said. "I can't comment because I'm not in the league office but I'm not happy with it. It's not one of those that I brush to the side. It's an unfortunate part of the game but I think that both red cards were justified."
Still, Robinson wasn't the least bit shocked at how physical the game was.
"This was a classic Dallas-Houston matchup," he said. "We play each other in preseason, regular season, Open Cup and familiarity breeds contempt. I think the referee could have called it a little closer and maybe some of those things at the end wouldn't have happened but hindsight is 20/20.
The Dynamo defender also knows that the victory is just one step toward Dynamo's ultimate goal.
"We want to get first place because we want home field throughout the playoffs," Robinson said. "We know what we have to do and coming here and winning today was at the top of the list. For us, we look back and are happy that we got three points and are looking forward to a nice short trip home."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
