photo by Thomas B. Shea/USA Today Sports

By FRANCO PANIZO

For a brief spell in the second half, the San Jose Earthquakes looked like they would be able to overcome going down a man. Then, the Houston Dynamo struck to wipe away any thought of that.

Using a 77th-minute goal from Alex, the Dynamo defended their home turf by picking up a 2-1 victory over the 10-man Earthquakes at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday night. Alex’s winner came seven minutes after Quincy Amarikwa capitalized on a Joe Willis error, and it extended the Dynamo’s current unbeaten run to three games.

San Jose found itself down a goal and a man lost before getting on the scoreboard. Rookie midfielder Fatai Alashe was sent off at the hour-mark with his second yellow card for a tactical foul on Giles Barnes, who Alashe prevented from racing free near the sideline by holding onto his hip.

The one-man advantage still did not prevent the Earthquakes from canceling out DaMarcus Beasley’s 55th-minute opener, but Houston had the last laugh through Alex’s simple finish 13 minutes before the final whistle.

Alex was the beneficiary of some good passing on the decisive play. Oscar Boniek started the sequence by slipping a penetrating ball through on the flank to right back Sheanon Williams, who crossed a low ball straight into the path of the Brazilian for a simple, one-timed shot.

The Dynamo initially took the lead in the Western Conference showdown, as veteran left back DaMarcus Beasley turned back the clock to score his first goal of the year. Beasley received the ball in space in the attacking third 10 minutes after halftime, and raced by Earthquakes centerback Victor Bernardez with ease before slotting a composed shot past an onrushing David Bingham.

Willis’ blunder then allowed the Earthquakes to pull level. The Dynamo goalkeeper failed to clear a bouncing ball in the penalty area and allowed it to reach Amarikwa right in front of the open net for the simplest of finishes.

That was as close as San Jose ever got, though it did have two chances in the first half to jump out in front.

Chris Wondolowski had the Earthquakes’ best chance in a rough overall first half for both sides, timing a run perfectly in the 39th minute before firing a half-volley right at Willis.

Wondolowski then tapped one in from close range a minute before halftime, but was ruled offside.

The Earthquakes will play again on Friday, as they host the Colorado Rapids at Avaya Stadium. The Dynamo play their next game a day later, visiting the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.