By IVES GALARCEP
The Houston Dynamo have struggled on the road for a long time, and the task of trying to record their first road win since last July seemed extremely unlikely without Brad Davis and against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday night.
The script didn’t play out the way most would have expected.
The Dynamo turned in an outstanding defensive effort, and rode a game-winning goal from Welsh midfielder Andrew Drive to record a 1-0 victory over the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.
Driver provided the night’s only goal, blasting a left-footed shot from the top of the penalty area after Giles Barnes sent a pass from the right flank to an open area in front of goal. Driver made no mistake, striking a perfect shot past Carlo Cudicini in the 56th minute.
The Galaxy failed to find the net on a night that saw Landon Donovan record his second missed penalty kick of the season. Tally Hall saved Donovan’s penalty attempt in the 25th minute after Jose Villarreal drew the penalty by being taken down by Hall in the penalty area.
Hall only had to make two saves on the day, with the Houston defense doing an excellent job of containing a Galaxy attack that clearly missed star striker Robbie Keane. Kofi Sarkodie turned in a standout effort at right back for the Dynamo, containing the normally-dangerous Mike Magee.
The victory moved the Dynamo into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference, joining Sporting Kansas City, New York Red Bulls and Montreal Impact on points.
Here are the match highlights: