Brian Ching and Dynamo drop 3-0 shocker, exit MLS Cup playoffs

November 10, 5:25 PMAsian-American Sports ExaminerMichael Street

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New York's captain Juan Pablo Angel scored one of the goals in their defeat of the Dynamo 

In their history in MLS, the Houston Dynamo had never faced playoff defeat, but they learned its bitter taste last night. Facing the New York Red Bulls in a decisive semifinal match at home, the Dynamo lost 3-0 to New York, leaving the Dynamo with only a CONCACAF Champions League match to prepare for.

Their offensive leader, Brian Ching, was held scoreless in both matches against New York, and only Kei Kamara was able to push past a goal in the 1-1 draw in their first semifinal game against New York.

Heading home, however, Houston had reason for confidence, as they'd outscored their opposition 11-2 in home playoff matches, while New York was 0-6 in road playoff games.

But last night, the teams seemed to have switched places. The Red Bulls took advantage of their chances, including a controversial penalty that gave them their second goal of the game. Houston, on the other hand, couldn't seem to find the net, despite several great opportunities, including a one-on-one between Ching and Red Bull keeper Danny Cepero, but the Dynamo's spark just wasn't there. 

Red Bull Dane Richards put his team on the board in the 25th minute, splitting two Houston defenders to rocket a shot past Pat Onstad, the Houston keeper. Shocked, the Dynamo tried to rally, but their spirits were quashed when Ricardo Clark was whistled for a handball in the penalty area in the thirty-sixth minute. The ball did hit Clark's hand, but it seemed accidental, as he ran down the pitch to defend against Richards' cross. Juan Pablo Angel ripped the penalty shot past Onstad, and New York found itself with a 2-0 lead.

Houston tried to respond, sending Ching on a long ball that Cepero mishandled, giving Ching the opportunity to flick the ball behind the keeper. As both players raced back towards the ball, the usually reliable Dynamo forward couldn't settle the ball and Cepero snatched it away. In the second half, Ching had another chance when Kamara flicked a nice pass to the side of the area to give Ching an opportunity, but Cepero spoiled the party once more, charging to cut down the angle and making a nice save.

In similar fashion, shot after shot flew past an open Red Bull goal mouth, but the Dynamo players couldn't get a boot on it, or their headers went just wide. Cepero made several brilliant saves, and seemed to gain confidence each time he turned a Houston shot away, including two more Ching headers in rapid succession following a corner kick.  

As so often happens when a team presses forward, the other team breaks through the defense. Richards did just this with a brilliant one-man run through four Houston defenders, ending his mad dash through the pitch with a low cross to John Wolyniec, who flicked the ball in for the third goal of the game.

Now the two-time MLS Cup champions must head home and prepare for their November 26 match against the Salvadoran team CD Luis Angel Firpo, with the winner of the match advancing from Group B to the semifinals. The match was originally scheduled for September 17, but Hurricane Ike cancelled that affair. The November 26th date was seen as problematic, since it fell three days after the MLS Cup final match.

Houston would love to have such scheduling problems now.