It took Houston Dynamo 155 minutes to score their first league goal of 2007, but Brian Ching's header held up against Chivas USA as the defending MLS Cup champions recorded their first victory of the season Saturday night at Robertson Stadium.
Brad Davis placed his free kick perfectly in the middle of the penalty area from the right flank and Ching headed it past Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan to give Dynamo the eventual game-winner.
"It's great to get the win," Ching said. "We kind of underperformed last week (against Los Angeles), and we kind of underperformed in the first half as well, but we started the second half with the right attitude and got one.
"Brad Davis dropped in a good ball, and I was in the right place at the right time and headed it in. Brad serves in a good ball, and I was just trying to get free from my man and was able to put it in the back of the net."
Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad made five saves on the night, including one in the 80th minute on a John Cunliffe shot to preserve the victory.
"It's a win," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "It was a hard-fought match. Pat made some saves in the first half to create some chances. We looked a lot sharper in the second half. We had a bit better pass selection at the end of the game. Overall, I am pleased. Anytime you win, I think you are happy."
Before the match, Houston received its championship rings from last season's MLS Cup win. Dynamo defeated Chivas in the Western Conference Semifinals on aggregate after losing the first match 2-1 in Carson, Calif., and winning the second match 2-0.
Houston came out sluggish in the first half Saturday night, and Chivas nearly took advantage of it early as Ante Razov's shot 20 seconds in was stopped by Onstad. Chivas didn't slow, however, as they took seven shots in the first half compared to just two by Houston with four of those shots being on goal, while none of the Houston attempts were on goal.
Dynamo came out in the second half with more urgency, taking 10 shots in the second half with three on goal.
"(Kinnear) got on us a bit at the half, but we knew we weren't playing up to our potential," Davis said. "We knew we had to get out there stronger because we had our legs under us. It was a long preseason, but I think we showed well coming out in the second half and showing what this team is all about. We are not going to give up until the 90th minute."
Houston had several opportunities to open up more of a lead as Dwayne De Rosario had a shot hit the post in the 78th minute, and he had one go high in the 69th minute.
A welcome sight for Houston was the return of midfielder Ricardo Clark, who returned from a left knee injury to play the whole match.
"I kind of had to work myself into the game," Clark said. "I think my game as well as the rest of the team settled in the second half. The knee feels good, but I didn't think about it. It didn't bother me tonight. It just cramped a little at the end, but it felt good."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
