who scored a goal and set up another the weekend before -- was sent off by referee Baldomero Toledo with a straight red card for a challenge on Ryan Cochrane.
• But Jozy Altidore, who had been dangerous all evening with little to show for it, finally converted one of his chances when took a pass at the edge of the area, spun around defender Eddie Robinson and hammered a shot over goalkeeper Pat Onstad, off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net for the game's lone goal
• Goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus kept a clean sheet for the second time on the season (he also played the first half of the win against FC Dallas) as the Red Bulls became the second team in MLS history to open the season with three consecutive shutouts. The first -- the Dallas Burn in 1999 -- allowed a goal in the 74th minute of their fourth match.
• Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear made two changes to the team that defeated Chivas USA 1-0 the weekend before. Ryan Cochrane returned from suspension, and he returned to central defense in place of Craig Waibel as Kelly Gray remained at right back. Alejandro Moreno partnered Paul Dalglish in attack in place of Brian Ching.
• Here's Kinnear's team (4-3-1-2): Pat Onstad - Kelly Gray, Ryan Cochrane, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett - Brian Mullan, Ricardo Clark, Brad Davis (Richard Mulrooney 70) - Dwayne De Rosario - Paul Dalglish (Chris Wondolowski 73), Alejandro Moreno (Brian Ching 69). Substitutes Not Used: Stuart Holden, Patrick Ianni, Craig Waibel, Zach Wells
• "Goals come and go, sometimes you go through some things when you can't find chances, you can't find the net. So, are we worried about not scoring goals? Yes, overall, we didn't play very well tonight and that's what really concerns me the most," Kinnear said. "We had territory because of the 10 men, but didn't get to the ball sharply, we gave the ball away in silly positions and we were slacking on defense. They took advantage of our lack of concentration and we didn't deserve anything tonight."
TEAM NEWS
• After the game, Dynamo players conceded they might still be feeling a bit of a letdown after the loss to Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinals.
• "We talked about that a little bit beforehand -- it was an emotional thing for us," said goalkeeper Pat Onstad. "It was a fantastic series, and I think we felt we should have gone through. The guys played so well - especially down in Pachuca. I don't think that's the reason we haven't played as well as we could have so far, but it's there." Said Dwayne De Rosario: "Preseason took a lot out of us, and we're definitely in a little slump right now."
• It was a particularly disheartening second match in three league games where Dynamo were shut out.
• "Not good enough, we're a much better team than that, especially when they went down to 10 men. I think we could have been a little more patient in terms of attacking and putting them out of areas where they are uncomfortable and exposing those areas, but we didn't do a good job of that," De Rosario said. "I think we were just a little flat and we had one or two chances, but playing against 10 men, you would think you would be able to create more chances."
• One key to the Red Bulls success was limiting the touches of De Rosario. After going a man down, Seth Stammler began to man-mark the Canadian international all over the field.
• "His job was to watch me and limit my touches," De Rosario said. "They really did a good job congesting the middle of the field. They were organized and disciplined. With Claudio [Reyna], they play with a lot more patience. He's so good on the ball, makes great runs without the ball and creates space out there. We needed to limit his touches too."
• After Ching underwent knee surgery in the offseason, Kinnear decided to keep him out of the starting lineup with the game played on the artificial surface at Giants Stadium.
• "We missed him," said Onstad. "He's always dangerous, the other teams have to be aware of him and he holds the ball up so well for the other guys."
• For the game, Dynamo will be wearing special uniforms sporting the Virginia Tech University colors (maroon and orange). The game-worn uniforms will be auctioned off with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the University's Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. In addition, the club has established a special fundraising ticket offer for the game. For every ticket purchased through this special offer, $8 will be donated to the University's Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.
CHICAGO FIRE
The Chicago Fire remained one of three teams still undefeated on the season, winning for the second time in as many games at Toyota Park in a 2-1 decision against the Kansas City Wizards last Saturday. The Fire have seven points from three games, tied with the New York Red Bulls atop the Eastern Conference as the two sport the best record in MLS.
LAST MATCH
• The Fire came into the game undefeated, getting a goal to tie a 10-man Colorado Rapids the week before, while the Wizards were also unbeaten, a 4-2 win at D.C. United their only league match on the year.
• The Fire struck first in the 36th minute as Chad Barrett scored his second goal in as many weeks. Chris Armas dribbled forward from midfield, found Chris Rolfe, who slipped Barrett in behind the Kansas City with a quick pass, and the third-year striker slotted home past Kevin Hartman.
• The teams then traded penalty kicks over the final 20 minutes. The Fire doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when Ivan Guerrero was hauled down after a strong run into the right side of the area. Rolfe converted from the spot for his first goal of 2007.
• Then in the final minute, Diego Gutierrez hooked down Carlos Marinelli in the area. The recent Argentinean -- who was making his MLS league debut after coming on as a halftime substitute -- sent Chicago 'keeper Matt Pickens the other way in converting his own penalty, the first goal allowed by the Fire at home on the season.
• Fire head coach Dave Sarachan made one change to the team that drew 1-1 with the Rapids the Sunday before. With Logan Pause suffering from a groin strain, he brought in the pacy Dasan Robinson in central defense in a change to his tactical scheme.
• Here's Sarachan's team (4-4-2): Matt Pickens - C.J. Brown, Jim Curtin, Dasan Robinson, Gonzalo Segares - Ivan Guerrero, Chris Armas, Diego Gutierrez, Justin Mapp (Calen Carr 55) - Chris Rolfe (Osei Telesford 91+), Chad Barrett (Thiago 86). Substitutes Not Used: Pascal Bedrossian, Jon Busch, Brian Plotkin, Bakary Soumare
• "It was a great win tonight. From the front to the back, it was a really solid performance. It was a very soft penalty at the end," Sarachan said. "It should have been a zero. The 2-1 win at home was a pretty commanding performance."
TEAM NEWS
• Before the season began, the Fire got rid of their top two scorers from a year ago in Andy Herron (nine goals) and Nate Jaqua (eight), putting their confidence in Chad Barrett and Chris Rolfe, who had combined for 21 goals over the first two MLS seasons for each. Barrett scored his second goal in as many games while Rolfe hit for his first. Rolfe also set up Barrett's first goal, the late equalizer in Colorado the weekend before.
• "These are good players. They're young. There will be ups and downs. It takes time to develop chemistry," Sarachan said. "They need confidence. Getting goals and assists will help them build their confidence."
• "That's what we're supposed to see every night out of him," Chris Armas said of Barrett to the Daily Southtown. "He's not really exceeding any expectations, because that bar is already high for him."
• When the Fire won the penalty kick in the 73rd minute, Barrett grabbed the ball. "Chad had the ball and gave it to me,'' Rolfe said to the Chicago Sun-Times. ''He said, 'Go get your first goal.' That helped me with my confidence."
• Sarachan's tactical shift also paid dividends in limiting the Wizards to very few real chances.
• "As a team, we did pretty well. It's the third game of the season, so we're still learning. [The game] got a little chaotic for a little bit in the middle of the second half. All we need to do to work that out is to communicate, open our mouths and keep our head on a swivel," said Dasan Robinson, who was brought into the team in the biggest change made by the Fire boss. "[Eddie Johnson] is tough. I don't think he's ever going to take a night off, so you always have to be ready and put up your best against him. That's what I tried to do tonight."
• The trip to Houston begins a three-game road swing for the Fire, who follow it with games in New England and Toronto, both of which will be played on FieldTurf.
• "We're undefeated. You haven't seen our best soccer yet," Sarachan said. "The next three games will be hard games. Two out of three are on an artificial surface. They'll be tough. But we don't fear the road."
