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LA Galaxy pull off shocker against Houston Dynamo
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(AP Photo/Branimir Kvartuc)
The Los Angeles Galaxy accomplished something against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night that the U.S. National Team couldn’t in their Confederations Cup final against Brazil: hold onto a lead. And while the world might not have been watching, the fact that the Galaxy closed the deal in their 1-0 win over the Western Conference leaders might have been a more significant development.
The Galaxy had dropped two straight games, and looked to be in serious danger of making it three in a row as the defending MLS Cup champions arrived at the Home Depot Center. After all, Houston was riding an 11-match unbeaten streak and had just got star striker Brian Ching back from injury, while the Galaxy’s star Landon Donovan was back in South Africa with the national team.
After controlling play in the opening minutes, the Galaxy got the breakthrough they needed in the 24th minute on a set piece. Mike Magee took a short corner and dribbled into a virtual valley of space in the Dynamo defense. His low cross from just inside the penalty area was met by Todd Dunivant’s outstretched foot, which deflected the ball past Pat Onstad and into the Houston goal.
After the game, Houston coach Dominic Kinnear put the blame for the goal squarely on his own shoulders, explaining that he made the call to pull a player off the ball on the corner kick, giving Magee a chance to find that much space. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said that the team had noticed this and played the short corner for that reason.
From there, it was a matter of what Arena called “a blue-collar game,” with plenty of physical play and a slow pace. It was a game that suited the Galaxy fine, as Houston was unable looked sluggish and confused at times while trying to break down the Los Angeles defense.
“There’s nothing wrong with getting a goal and defending and getting your three points,” said Arena. “It's a good exercise; it's a good habit to get into."
Houston created several scoring chances in the second half, but either couldn’t find the final pass or come up with a strong finish. Both Ching and Kei Kamara had free headers right in front of goal, but both times the Dynamo players struck weak headers that fell right to Galaxy keeper Donovan Ricketts.
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