CARSON, Calif. - After losing to the Los Angeles Galaxy in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday, Houston Dynamo found their way Sunday after finding a missing ingredient: testosterone.
"Our defensive effort collectively was more determined (Sunday)," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. "There were more men out there."
Dwayne De Rosario's second-half goal was the difference Sunday as Dynamo pulled out a 2-1 victory against the Galaxy in a crucial Western Conference matchup. Dynamo more than compensated the loss of one of their men after Brian Mullan was sent off in the 66th minute.
The club reached down for some fortitude and walked away with the win.
"We told ourselves that we had to turn it around, be men and own up to it and play like a team," Dynamo forward Brian Ching said. "I thought we did that in the second half."
Dynamo solidified their position in the Western Conference table. With the win, the club improved to 10-8-9 and is now four points clear of Colorado and Chivas USA. Dynamo play host to Chivas on Sept. 17.
Dynamo also ensured that the Galaxy would remain in last place in the Western Conference. Even though L.A. got the better of Dynamo in the Open Cup, De Rosario said the club showed grit by winning on Sunday.
"It just shows the character of the team, losing in the semifinals of a cup match and coming back out with a win," De Rosario said. "It was great character and shows that guys have a lot of heart on this team."
De Rosario also atoned for a personal error. At the end of the first half on Wednesday, De Rosario had the opportunity to level the score but Galaxy 'keeper Kevin Hartman stopped his attempt.
Sunday, De Rosario took advantage of a fluky play to give his side the win. Brad Davis and Peter Vagenas were battling for a loose ball. Vagenas seemed to have gotten the better of it when Davis fell and lost control of the ball but the Galaxy midfielder accidentally knocked the ball back into his own penalty area.
"I just saw the ball pop loose," De Rosario said. "I just kind of saw (Hartman) diving quite early. I caught him on it and played an extra touch wide ... I said this is my chance so I buried it."
The Galaxy got a break 10 minutes later when Mullan picked up his second yellow card and was sent off. It only forced Dynamo to stand strong and defend their lead, though.
"When the ball turned over, you saw nine guys running back, making sure there were no easy balls and easy gaps to play through," Kinnear said. "The challenges we made on the first and second balls were good."
The match was physical as the two clubs combined for 26 fouls. It was to be expected, however, given the Galaxy's long-standing rivalry with Dynamo's former self, the San Jose Earthquakes.
"It was a bit chippy. These games, they tend to get a little bit heated and cards start flying around," Kinnear said. "Guys are challenging and they're competitive.
The biggest factor Dynamo overcame since losing to the Galaxy on Wednesday was their collective effort.
"Wednesday, it was like 'OK, things aren't going so good,' but tonight was like 'You know what? This is what's happening. This is the situation.' We all kind of pulled together and we did OK," Kinnear said.
Still, Dynamo did not leave southern California the way Kinnear would have liked.
"If you look at the standings you'd say we're in better shape now," he said, "but I'd still like to be going to Chicago (for the U.S. Open Cup Final), too."
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
