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]