The Houston Dynamo got the better of FC Dallas on Saturday, dominating possession in the first half en route to a 4-0 preseason win at Whataburger Field in the South Texas Shootout in Corpus Christi. Houston scored all four goals from dead-ball situations in the rout.
The match’s first goal came courtesy of an FC Dallas own goal off a Brad Davis free kick. Davis sent a ball into the six-yard box that fell to the ground and eventually deflected off the shin of Dallas defender Alexis Pradié and past goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
Midfielder Geoff Cameron padded Houston’s lead 20 minutes later when he got free at the near post and headed a Davis corner kick past Hartman.
Just before halftime, Davis added another goal off a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box after Cameron earned the kick when he was taken down by the FCD defense. After the goal, tempers flared momentarily between Cameron and FCD’s Jair Benitez before cooler heads prevailed.
The second half saw wholesale changes for both teams and a less active half of play. The only goal came in stoppage time on a penalty kick, when Danny Cruz put a low shot to the left corner past FC Dallas backup goalkeeper Chris Seitz. Trialist Steven Morrissey earned the penalty when he was taken down by Scott Gordon while making a run into the penalty area.
The fouls were indicative of the physical nature of the match between the two Texas rivals. While there was only one yellow card - issued to FCD’s Eric Alexander in the 10th minute - the match saw a number of hard challenges on both sides. Despite the physical play, the Dynamo were able to control the possession and quickly counter FC Dallas’ attacks, producing several free kick chances they were able to convert.
FCD’s best scoring chance, meanwhile, came on a late header from Maykel Galindo that forced Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric to make a save, one of the few times Deric saw action as a second half sub.
FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo
February 12, 2011 -- Whataburger Field, Corpus Christi TX
Preseason friendly
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Own goal (Alexis Pradié) 8
HOU -- Geoff Cameron (Brad Davis) 29
HOU -- Brad Davis (unassisted) 40
HOU -- Danny Cruz (penalty kick) 93+
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman (Chris Seitz 46), Jackson (Andrew Wiedeman 46), Bobby Warshaw (Bruno Guarda 71), Alexis Pradié, Jair Benitez (Moises Hernandez 46), Marvin Chavez (Sheldon Palmer 46, Jason Yeisley 71), Eric Alexander (Bruno Martins 46), Eric Avila (Ricardo Villar 42, Brayan Martinez 72), Brek Shea (Bim Ogunyemi 46, Bryan Leyva 71), David Ferreira (Scott Gordon 46), Milton Rodriguez (Ruben Lunan 29, Maykel Galindo 71).
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall (Tyler Deric 46), Kofi Sarkodie (Lovel Palmer 46), Eddie Robinson (Bobby Boswell 46), Andrew Hainault (Jermaine Taylor 46), Mike Chabala (Hunter Freeman 46), Corey Ashe (Danny Cruz 46), JeVaughn Watson (Richard Edwards 46), Geoff Cameron (Lester Peltier 46), Brad Davis (Josue Soto 46, Francisco Navas Cobo 76), Brian Ching (Cam Weaver 46), François Swaby (Steven Morrissey 46).
Misconduct Summary:
FCD -- Eric Alexander (caution) 10
gameSumLabel">Referee: Jasen Anno
gameSumLabel">Referee's Assistants: Sean Hurd; Adam Garner
gameSumLabel">4th official: Ismail Elfath
gameSumLabel">Attendance: 5,432
Weather: Clear-and-60-degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
