If there was any question whether the defending MLS Cup champions would have any rust coming off a 10-day break, Houston Dynamo answered that question most emphatically against Chivas USA on Thursday night.
Dynamo defeated Chivas 4-0 to take over second place in the Western Conference and increase their winning streak to four games. But the scoring for Houston didn't come from the usual suspects.
Brian Ching and Dwayne de Rosario were both playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and Joseph Ngwenya didn't find the back of the net for the first time in four games. Brian Mullan scored the first goal for the Orange in the fifth minute off Brad Davis' free kick that bounced off the Chivas wall and to the top of the box. Mullan picked up the ball and fired a bullet into the right corner of the net.
"I was just fortunate. It's fortunate that it bounced off the wall and right to me. It was a good touch and it went into the corner," Mullan said. "You create your own luck. We've been working hard and putting the effort in. The bounces hadn't been going our way. Let's just hope they continue coming."
That was the start the Dynamo needed, and from there, Davis did the rest, earning his first career hat trick with three goals in a 20-minute span in the second half. Mullan's goal had been his first in league play since July 8, 2006, and for Davis it has nearly been as long, his last regular season strike coming July 15, 2006.
"I can't really describe it. I keep saying it's been a long time coming since I've scored a goal, and tonight three came, so it's a pretty good feeling for me," Davis said. "We needed guys to step up and score. Joe had done a great job. I'm very happy to contribute to the team as well. Normally, I'm on the other end of the ball serving it in, but tonight I wanted to score some goals. It was a good night for me."
Davis found the back of the net the first time in the 55th minute on a give-and-go move with Wade Barrett. Barrett found a cutting Davis on the left side of the box and Davis did the rest, hitting the upper right corner with a rising blast.
In the 70th minute, Davis received a pass from Ngwenya just to the left of the restraining arc and fired a shot past a diving Brad Guzan into the lower right corner. Davis' third goal came on a penalty kick in the 75th minute where Davis kicked it just a little right of center and into the top of the net for the hat trick.
The hat trick brought the fans at Robertson Stadium to their feet and a few fans even threw out hats in honor of the first hat trick by a Dynamo player since Ching scored four in the Orange's inaugural game in south Texas against Colorado on April 2, 2006.
For Houston, the win was an all-around team effort.
"Something (Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear) had on the board before the game was to come out and have a high tempo," said midfielder Stuart Holden. "We moved the ball quickly and came out firing on all guns. We got an early goal and pinned them back a bit and then in the second half, we came out again and got another goal and pinned them back the whole game.
"It was a great performance all around. We were a little unlucky to be up 1-0 at the half. We had some good chances. Defense did a great job, and the offense took over in the second half. Brad scored three amazing goals."
Houston will try to continue their winning streak against Kansas City on Sunday. But Thursday night belonged to Davis, who led a great victory for Dynamo.
"Great win. From the first to the last minute, the guys were professional," said Kinnear. "Congratulations to Brad for his first career hat trick. His first goal was absolutely stunning. But I think he played and moved on the goal like he did where he chases the ball down like he did shows the mood that the guys brought to the game tonight.
"It fits up nice for Sunday. The guys are confident. Mulls went up top early and scored a goal. It shows that the things we ask the guys to do they are taking it and enjoying it and being very professional with it."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
