Houston Dynamo 1, DC United 3 | MLS Match Recap

HOUSTON – Thanks to goals from Taylor Kemp, Fabian Espindola and Eddie Johnson, D.C. United are are one step closer to a worst-to-first season in the Eastern Conference after claiming a 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.

The win gives D.C., now 1-9-1 all-time in Houston, 56 points and puts them six points clear of the second-place New England Revolution. The defeat eliminated the Dynamo from playoff contention.

The match was was halted for a weather delay due to lightning in the area of BBVA Compass Stadium at the 21:42-minute mark. The field and stands were cleared for one hour and 12 minutes before the game resumed.

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Following that wait, D.C. took the lead in the 41st minute when Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric rushed off his line to stop a Chris Pontius shot, only to see the rebound land at Kemp’s feet. The left back hit it with his laces just inside the 18-yard box to give the visitors the opener.

Just before halftime, assistant referee Chris Strickland raised his flag for a handball on Steve Birnbaum inside the box on a Giles Barnes cross. After effusive protests from D.C. players and a conference with referee Ismail Elfath, the call was waved off and a drop ball was awarded to D.C.

With their playoff hopes hinging on a result, the Dynamo pushed forward in the second after being outshot nine to three during the first 45 minutes.

Barnes, following a dummy by Brad Davis, nearly evened the score in the 57th minute, but Bill Hamid made a brilliant flying save to keep the lead. Hamid will rejoin the US national team for their Tuesday friendly vs. Honduras.

In the 64th minute, Espindola followed up with a dagger that Houston could not recover from. Sean Franklin cleared a Dynamo free kick to the Argentine, who had nothing but green in front him and capped his 60-yard run with a classy chip over an on rushing Deric to make it 2-0.

• OPTA CHALKBOARD: DC lock down the box in win

Houston was given a lifeline in the 81st minute when Sean Franklin was whistled a penalty kick after he appeared to drag Ricardo Clark down in the box. Barnes calmly beat Hamid to the right to bring the Dynamo to within one and give the Englishman double-digit goals for the campaign.

Johnson, who came for an injured Luis Silva in the first half, iced the game after slotting home from close range in the 87th minute to seal the 3-1 victory.

Houston, already down starters Boniek Garcia and Luis Garrido (international duty) and AJ Cochran (suspension), lost Designated Player DaMarcus Beasley in the 12th minute to a left hamstring strain.

D.C. United are in action next on Saturday when they host the Chicago Fire, while the Dynamo welcome the New England Revolution to BBVA Compass Stadium on Thursday on ESPN2.

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