A hard-fought battle at BBVA Compass Stadium looked destined to end in a draw, but a questionable penalty kick paved the way for Brian Ching to deliver a winner and score his first goal at the Houston Dynamo's new stadium.
A penalty call against Philadelphia's Gabriel Farfan in the 81st minute for a collision with Ching set up a decisive spot kick for Ching, who calmly converted to help give the Dynamo a 2-1 victory on Saturday night.
The win helped snap Houston's recent funk and moved the Dynamo into fifth place in the East. The defeat was a painful one for a Union side that was looking to build on an outstanding week that included routs against Sporting Kansas City and in U.S. Open Cup play against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
New Dynamo midfielder Oscar Boniek Garcia made a memorable debut for Houston when he set up Brad Davis' opening goal in the first half, but Keon Daniel helped erase the Union's deficit with his own outstanding goal.
The Union looked to be on their way to a valuable road point before the referee pointed to the spot after Farfan appeared to run into Ching from behind in the penalty area.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? Disappointed with the late penalty call, or did you think it was a fair decision? Impressed with Houston's new designated player? Like what you saw from the Union?
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