ORLANDO, FL - The Houston Dynamo started their pre-season play today with a comfortable 4-1 win against the Golden Knights of the University of Central Florida in a game played at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.
The Dynamo stated their dominance on the field early on with a goal by Brian Mullan at the 11th minute of play. Brian Ching got credited with the assist.
Only six minutes later, the MLS Champions put another ball in the back of the net, this time courtesy of Chris Wondolowski. "Wondo" got the assist from Mullan on a deflection off UCF goalkeeper Brian Pope.
Just as the first half was about to wrap up, the Dynamo struck again. Thanks to an assist by Wondolowski from outside the box, 2006 Canadian MVP Dwayne De Rosario put a solid shot past Pope's right corner.
Once the second half got under way, Houston came out with a different lineup. That did not affect the team's performance on the field, however. The Dynamo was able to put the game away at the 70th minute, thanks to newcomer Erik Ustruck. Assisted with a cross from fellow rookie Corey Ashe, Ustruck hit the ball to the ground with a header, putting it in the top of the net.
The lone goal for the Golden Knights came at the 80th minute, with an own goal by Eddie Robinson.
The Houston Dynamo will continue its pre-season play on Friday, February 16, playing against Red Bull New York and Sunday, February 18, against the Chicago Fire. Kickoff for both games is slated for 5:00 p.m. CT at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, FL.
Houston Dynamo (First Half): Wells, Sambursky, Cochrane, Waibel, Barrett, Mullan, De Rosario, Hayden, Chabala, Wondolowski, Ching.
Houston Dynamo (Second Half): James, Sambursky, Robinson, Douglass, Ustruck, Clark, Davis, Hatzke, Ashe, Moreno, Dalglish.
University of Central Florida: Pope, Howard (Robinson, 45'), Hall (Pascione, 45'), Haisley, Akinrinade, Andaur, Roushandel, Mattson, Boggs, Jordan, Georgeff.
Goal Summary:
HOU: Mullan (Ching), 11th minute, Wondolowski (Mullan), 17th minute, De Rosario (Wondolowski), 44th minute, Ustruck (Ashe), 70th minute.
UCF: Robinson (OG) 80th minute.
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 76 degrees.
