HOUSTON - Chivas USA fell 4-0 to Houston Dynamo on Thursday at Robertson Stadium, ending the team's three-game win streak. After entering the match with a one-point lead ahead of Houston for second place in the Western Conference, the loss moves Chivas USA down to third.
Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis achieved the first hat trick of his professional career as the top-rated defense in MLS allowed as many goals in one night as it had during its recent six-game unbeaten streak.
Chivas couldn't recover after falling behind early in the game on a goal by Dynamo forward Brian Mullan in the sixth minute. The play started when Davis took an free kick and had his shot deflected by the Chivas USA wall. The deflection fell right to Mullan's feet, and with no defenders in front of him at the top of the penalty area, Mullan placed a low shot into the right corner past Chivas goalie Brad Guzan.
Chivas midfielder Francisco Mendoza nearly pulled the score even in the 17th minute with a header that caught Houston goalkeeper Zach Wells by surprise. Mendoza's attempt missed though, flying just over the near post and out of play.
The Chivas USA defense was tested throughout the first half, allowing 10 shots, including six on goal, before the intermission. Dynamo midfielder Kelly Gray provided most of the pressure, accounting for four shots in the half, including a laser from 10 yards outside of the box that missed just high.
Guzan, who entered the match with a MLS-leading 0.80 goals-against average, showed his worth often in the first half, notching five saves. Guzan corralled back-to-back shots from Dynamo forward Joseph Ngwenya and Mullan in the 43rd and 44th minutes, respectively. Both shots were well struck from an open look at the goal, but Guzan made the saves look easy while keeping his team within one goal.
On the other end, the Chivas USA offense failed to generate much pressure on Wells. Chivas defender Alex Zotinca had his team's lone shot on goal in the first half, but Wells easily collected the attempt.
After holding the Houston attack at bay in the first half, the Chivas USA defense had a much rougher time in the second, conceding three goals on seven shots. Davis, who recorded his first-ever hat trick, scored all three goals.
Davis first struck in the 55th minute, working a give-and-go on the flank with Dynamo defender Wade Barrett. Davis received Barrett's pass in the left of the area with Zotinca trailing a step behind, and powered the ball over Guzan's head and into the back top corner of the net to double the Houston lead.
Chivas USA tried to get back into the game on a strong volley by forward Laurent Merlin. In the 66th minute, Merlin received a cross from forward Matt Taylor in the middle of the box, and his volley to the top center of the net was denied by the crossbar, bouncing back into play.
On the ensuing possession, Ngwenya made a well-timed run to receive the ball a step in front of Chivas USA defender Shavar Thomas in the 66th minute. While trying to catch Ngwenya from behind, Thomas appeared to get his feet entangled with Ngwenya's, and both players went down. Referee Jorge Gonzalez immediately pulled out the red card.
Playing down by one man, the Chivas defense fell apart quickly. Only three minutes after the ejection, Davis scored from an open look at the top of the box, running onto a pass laid back by Joseph Ngwenya.
Five minutes after that, Zotinca was called for a sliding foul on Mullan just inside the box. Davis took the penalty kick, pushing the ball past Guzan's outstretched hands to notch his third goal of the half.
Chivas USA will have a nine-day layoff before facing the New England Revolution at home on Sat., June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Houston Dynamo will travel to Kansas City to face the Wizards on Sun., June 24 at 4 p.m.
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
