Houston Dynamo returned to their good form, beating Real Salt Lake 1-0 at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Monday night. It was the Dynamo's first victory in Utah and set up a huge game this Saturday for the Western Conference regular season title.
Stuart Holden scored the game's lone goal in the 66th minute, as what first appeared to be a cross from the right flank crossed up RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando and sailed over his head into the far corner.
Dynamo moved to within one point of the Western Conference leading Chivas USA -- and the two teams play each other Saturday evening at The Home Depot Center. The winner of that game would hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and for any potential conference championship game for a berth in MLS Cup 2007.
Although no shots were put on frame in the opening moments, Houston were initially pushed back into their own defensive third as Salt Lake surged forward in search of an early goal when Yura Movsisyan skied over the bar after just 10 seconds.
In the fourth minute Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad nearly handed a prime scoring chance to Salt Lake by misplaying a corner. As the ball approach the goalmouth Onstad swung his fists to punch the ball away. His fists met the ball, but rather than away from goal Onstad punched the ball straight up.
While players from both sides jostled for position preparing for the ball to come down, Carey Talley was whistled for putting too much of a body on Onstad.
It wasn't until about 10 minutes into the match until Houston started to find a rhythm and then progressed into the Salt Lake half of the field.
The first scoring opportunity created by Houston came in the 27th minute. Brian Mullan broke down Ritchie Kotschau on the dribble and broke for the endline. As he was running out of room, Mullan rulled a brisk cross in front of goal that was gathered in by RSL goalie Nick Rimando.
In the following minute Joseph Ngwenya received a low cross whipped in by Craig Waibel but misplayed his first touch, letting his shot bounce harmlessly to the arms of Rimando.
Dynamo's next dangerous look, also coming down the right flank, was through Mullan in the 38th minute. Mullan quickly beat a pair of RSL defenders and then lofted a narrow angled shot over the reach of Rimando that kissed off the crossbar and continued to the other side of the field.
Houston erupted out of the intermission, putting Salt Lake on their heels from the opening whistle. The increased pressure lead to a chance by Richard Mulrooney in the 49th minute. After getting sent through on a ball from Waibel down the flank, Mulrooney raced into a solo challenge with Rimando -- where the goalkeeper stripped the ball off Mulrooney's feet.
Wade Barrett got into the action for Houston by clearing out a sure shot on goal from Kyle Beckerman in the 62nd minute. After the ball was knocked around in the Houston penalty area, it fell to the feet of Beckerman who ripped a drive that was heading for the inside of the far post until Barrett slapped it clear with the inside of his boot.
RSL went close at the other end, as Movsisyan collected a pass in the penalty area and hit a low shot across the goal that beat Onstad, but came back off the base of the right post.
On their ensuing trip toward the Salt Lake goal, Houston's Stuart Holden forced an impressive save from Rimando. The Dynamo midfielder leaped to get his head onto a cross from Mullan and did well to direct it on frame. The ball was about to tuck just under the bar until Rimando dove backwards and tipped it over the woodwork.
But Holden would not be denied. From the right flank, he served a high ball toward the far post that sailed over Rimando's head. All the Real 'keeper could do was swat the ball into the upper netting before watching it drop behind the goal line.
The intensity of the contest began to boil over in the 73rd minute when Eddie Robinson was ejected for taking Beckerman down from behind. RSL were charging on a rare fast break, and as Beckerman received the ball just outside the area Robinson moved in to challenge. The Salt Lake midfielder went to the turf and referee Tim Weyland gave Robinson his marching orders.
With the man advantage Salt Lake threw their effort forward. In the 75th minute Mulrooney cleared a sure goal, again from Beckerman, off the line, after a sharp free kick sailed under the wall.
But in the 77th minute the teams were back to level. Movsisyan collided with Onstad as he headed back up the field, and then shoved Onstad in front of the Houston net. The young Salt Lake striker was shown a straight red card by Weyland and let his emotions boil over as he left the field, kicking the advertising boards on his way to the locker room.
It was the final home game in Salt Lake City for Eddie Pope, the MLS Original who is retiring after the completion of the season. He will bring down the curtain on his standout career when Real travels to Colorado to take on the Rapids next Saturday in a game that will have massive implications on the MLS Cup Playoffs picture.
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
