Everything was set up for the Dynamo to get to the top of the East. They’d won 4 straight and with an unbeaten record at home, this was the chance to show the league just how good they are. Especially at BBVA Compass Stadium. Labeled the “Downtown Showdown” the Dynamo were ready and they came out firing early on.
Jermaine Taylor opened the scoring for the Dynamo jusy 72 seconds in. A Brad Davis free kick led to a scramble in front. The ball fell to Andre Hainault’s feet. The Canadian mishit a shot then played the ball across the face of goal. The Jamaican Taylor was there and poked it in at the backpost with his knee. It was a dream start for Houston and it only got the crowd more into it. After the match the Dynamo players spoke about how big the early goal was. With game time temperatures hovering near 100 degrees the heat was always going to be tough for the visiting Red Bulls. With a goal less than 2 minutes in it made it even tougher for them. They had to chase a goal in the humid, hot conditions and that was never going to be a winning recipe for New York.
Just 28 minutes in Calen Carr made it 2-0 and for all intents and purposes, finished off the Red Bulls. After some great work on the left side from Mac Kandji, the Senegalese forward played a 1-2 with defender Corey Ashe. Kandji then crossed to the middle towards the backpost. The cross went over Will Bruin but Carr outjumped everyone and headed back post to put the Dynamo in the driver’s seat. The goal was Carr’s 4th in the last 4 matches. The combination of Kandji, Brad Davis, Boniek Garcia, and Ashe gave All Star Heath Pearce and the Red Bull defense fits down the left flank all night. Kandji looked lost the first few matches in the 4-3-3 formation but he has begun to blossom. His speed gets him in great positions and he plays well with Davis and Ashe providing him service. Now if he can just work on that finishing.
The Red Bulls brought Thierry Henry and new signing Tim Cahill to BBVA Compass Stadium but like every team before them they were unable to leave with 3 points. BBVA has become a fortress for the Dynamo and the players feed off the energy from the fans and the knowledge that the heat and humidity is a huge advantage. The Dynamo now head to New Jersey next week in the “return leg” against the Red Bulls. They will surely want some payback but for now on this Saturday morning the Dynamo are in first place in the Eastern Conference. Houston, you’ve got a first place team.
(image courtesy of Wilf Thorne/Houston Dynamo)
