Recap: Davis, Dynamo roll TFC, extend winning streak to 4

TORONTO — Both Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo were working on three-game winning streaks when they met on Saturday.

Now Houston’s is four.

Brad Davis had two assists, Calen Carr scored on a header following a corner kick in the final minute of the first half, and Brian Ching struck a late security goal as the Dynamo earned a 2-0 win over the Reds before 19,652 at BMO Field.

The victory was Houston’s first on the road since March and the first ever in Toronto, a span going back six games since TFC entered the league in 2007.

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The Dynamo (10-5-7) are undefeated in seven games while Toronto (5-12-4) are 4-3-4 since Paul Mariner took over as head coach on June 7.

New DP Eric Hassli did not make his debut for Toronto, which may have had a hand in the lack of offense from the home side.

Instead, the match was a rather slow, methodical one, as Houston’s composed play in midfield dominated the day. Thanks in large part to Brad Davis, who had two assists on the day, the Dynamo enjoyed a 60.2 percent to 39.9 percent advantage in possession.

Houston started out smartly in the first half. TFC defender Richard Eckersley foiled an early Dynamo attempt by running back to cut off Macoumba Kandji’s threatening run into the box.

Toronto had a chance in the 31st minute when right back Doneil Henry put his head to a Torsten Frings corner kick but the ball found the waiting arms of goalkeeper Tally Hall.

Going in, Toronto were concerned about Davis’ set pieces, and their worst fears were realized in the 45th minute. Davis looped in a lovely corner to the near post, where Bobby Boswell flicked it on to the back post. There, an unmarked Carr headed the ball into the bottom right corner for a 1-0 Houston lead.

The goal was the third in three games for Carr, the reigning MLS Player of the Week. It was also the sixth goal allowed by Toronto off a corner kick this season, and the seventh scored by Houston.

OPTA CHALKBOARD: Dynamo dominate possession

There was a carryover effect into the opening minutes of the second half as Toronto struggled to keep up. They finally began to pick things up around the 55th minute, when Quincy Amarikwa, making his first league appearance for the club, had an appeal for a penalty, but it was denied.

It was Amarikwa’s first league game since his acquisition a week ago. He was subbed off in the 63rd minute for Andrew Wiedeman.

But no matter what Toronto tried, they were unable to find a rhythm. Eventually, Davis made them pay a second time. His run down the left side cleared space in the middle, and he angled his cross back to the oncoming Ching. The forward made no mistake and slotted home his 4th goal of the season.

Toronto  play next on Wednesday against Aguila of El Salvador as they open play in the CONCACAF Champions League at BMO Field. Their next league game is Aug. 4 at Chicago.

Houston‘s next game will be at home to the New York Red Bulls next Friday.

MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match