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Impressive Barnes brace helps Dynamo topple Sounders

Giles Barnes

Photo by ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

If there was one way to take the shine off of Clint Dempsey’s first start for the Seattle Sounders, Giles Barnes found out exactly how to do it.

Barnes scored a brace inside of 21 minutes to help the Houston Dynamo oust the Sounders, 3-1, at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday. Both of Barnes goals came off of impressive finishes, but his second was a rocket from distance that will likely receive Goal of the Year consideration.

Barnes set the tone for Houston’s victory by netting his first of the game in the 17th minute, firing a shot into the top corner after receiving a pass from Will Bruin. But Barnes topped that finish four minutes later, as he hit a sensational effort from approximately 35 yards out past goalkeeper Michael Gspurning and into the back of the net.

Shalrie Joseph trimmed the deficit in the 65th minute, giving the Sounders a bit of hope, but Bruin scored an insurance goal nine minutes later to assure that Houston would pick up three points.

Dempsey, for his part, had some strong moments in his first start for Seattle, who was without forwards Obafemi Martin (injury) and Eddie Johnson (suspension). Dempsey set up Marc Burch with a nifty back-heel pass in the 53rd minute before Burch fired the ball high, and the U.S. Men’s National Team attacker also had a late curler go wide.

Here are the match highlights:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO4L3650Oxo?feature=player_detailpage&w=600&h=360]

Comments

  1. Way more of an open game than I would have expected. Sounders were poor in the second half but much better in the second. Houston needs to look at themselves a bit, gave up a ton of chances considering the score, should lock that down a bit better. On a different day if the bounces fall differently this is a very different scoreline.

    Reply
      • Seattle had at least 5 high quality chances in this game, probably more. That is more than a team down 2-0 should be getting. Houston clearly dominated the first half but in the second I think Seattle was marginally better.

      • Better? Both teams had lots of chances, Houston had a few more, and converted two more. Open game, but the better team won.

      • I said that Houston was clearly better in first half and that Seattle was marginally better in the second half, overall Houston deserved it and im not saying they didnt. Im just saying that Houston will probably be a bit disappointed in the level of chances they gave up.

      • Once Clark left with his injury Seattle’s midfield really started to influence the game. I was really sweating it out for good chunks of the second half. Bruin’s goal finally sealed it.

  2. Great game to be at. Lively crowd. TBH, both teams could have had two more goals, as it was a very open match with chances galore.

    Reply

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