Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
By ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, CALIF- Goals from Brad Davis and Adrian Serioux in the first ten minutes of the match helped the Houston Dynamo beat Chivas USA, 2-0, at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night.
The Rojiblancos were behind the eight ball in the first four minutes when a Blair Gavin miscue was intercepted by the Dynamo and played up field. The cross found the boot of midfielder Brad Davis who did a superb job of looping the effort over Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton.
The Dynamo put the nail in the coffin only four minutes later when a Brad Davis corner kick found the head of defender Adrian Serioux. The goal was set up by a beautiful screen by Craig Waibel of Jonathan Bornstein that allowed Serioux the time to fire the shot past Thornton.
After the goal, Chivas USA's chances towards net were few and far between. The best chance for the Rojiblancos was not until the 84th minute when a Sacha Kljestan strike from distance went just over the net of Houston goal keeper Pat Onstad, but by then the match was far out of reach.
After the quick goals, the Rojiblancos were unable to generate any offense as the Dynamo preferred to bunker down and allow Chivas USA to chase the game. A task which proved too great for the young squad.
Chivas USA falls to 3-4-1 on the year with the result and will now travel to Columbus next weekend. The task is no easier for the victorius Dynamo who are now 4-3-1 on the season. Houston will continue their road swing with a visit to Rio Tinto Stadium to take on Real Salt Lake on Thursday.
Here are the highlights:
What did you think of Houston's performance? Surprised to see Chivas USA fall at home?
Share your thoughts below.
Kinnear lost any support I would have given him as a National Team candidate Saturday night. I was mere feet away from him when he instructed Oduro to sit down on the field so he could waste time. If those are the tactics he wants to use, go coach in Italy.
I have never really thought of Brad Davis as a world cup contender, even though I’m a huge Dynamo fan. He has always been solid, though. I guess I’ve just always thought of him as “past his prime.” Maybe just the power of media?
they started with a 4-3-3. Palmer and Davis had lots of room in the middle. Ashe-Oduro-Mullan at top.
as the game went on they dropped to 4-5-1.
Landin didn’t have a concussion from what I saw and read. He’s getting better but you could hear Dom yelling at him to hustle and stop watching Chivas last night. OUCH! getting closer and closer to getting in the doghouse.
Is Brad Davis to old to be a world cup contender for 2014, I’ve always thought he was a good player.
I was about to say something… it was weird to see them bunker, even for the last 15.
Also, was that a 4-5-1, with Mulrooney and Palmer as the holding mids? Or was that a 4-4-2 with Mullan as a forward (who kept dipping back to midfield)? I guess either way, when you have one forward on the roster ready to go 90 (Landin suffered a concussion last week, so they wanted to limit his minutes) you only use one forward.
Houston didnt really “bunker down” until the around the 75′. They won the day by constantly pressuring the ball as if they were down two goals. There was always 1 Dynamo player pressuring and often another running in to help. I will trust Kinnears strategy but I think its dangerous to run your team ragged when your already have a thin bench b/c of injuries.
Kudos to Houston for showing up.
Martin Vasquez will now have to be convinced that not every MLS team can be beat with finesse play.
Chivas USA took ownership of the ball for the last 70-75 minutes of the game with no chance to score.
Tough game. We needed bruisers last night and we got punked.
Anytime Brian Mullan looks good in a game and Craig Weibel can mow over people, Houston has a chance.
Chivas played scared for the first 10-12 minutes. Yes, scared.
Go Dynamo!