CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Houston Dynamo got the better of FC Dallas in the second annual South Texas Shootout at Whataburger Field on Saturday, dominating possession in the first half en route to a 4-0 preseason win.
The match’s first goal came courtesy of an FC Dallas own goal off a Brad Davis free kick. Davis sent the ball into the six-yard box that fell to the ground and eventually deflected off the shin of FCD defender Alexis Pradie and past goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who who had come off his line.
Midfielder Geoff Cameron padded Houston’s lead 20 minutes later, when he got free at the near post and headed a Davis corner kick past Hartman.
Davis added another goal off a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box after Cameron earned the kick when he was taken down by the FCD defense. Tempers flared momentarily between Cameron and FCD’s Jair Benitez before cooler heads prevailed.
The second half saw wholesale changes for both teams and a less active half of play. The only goal came on a penalty kick, when Danny Cruz put a low shot to the left corner past FC Dallas backup goalkeeper Chris Seitz. Trialist Steven Morrissey earned the penalty when he was taken down by Scott Gordon while making a run into the penalty area
The fouls were indicative of the physical nature of the match between the two Texas rivals. While there was only one yellow card - issued to FCD’s Eric Alexander in the 10th minute - the match saw a number of hard challenges on both sides. Despite the physical play, the Dynamo were able to control the possession and quickly turnover FC Dallas’ attacks, producing several free kick chances they were able to convert.
FCD’s best scoring chance, meanwhile, came on a late header from Maykel Galindo that forced Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric to make a save, one of the few times Deric saw action as a second half sub.
