The Houston Dynamo closed their preseason with a 3-1 win over Chivas USA Saturday night in the second annual Spring Classic at Harder Stadium on the campus of the University of California-Santa Barbara.
All-time leading scorer Brian Ching had two assists as Houston took a 2-0 lead, and All-Star midfielder Brad Davis scored in his first appearance since playing for the U.S. national team on February 24.
The Dynamo took the lead with goals in the 51st and 59th minutes, as Ching set up first Dominic Oduro and then Davis for goals. Chivas USA came back with a headed goal from Yamith Cuesta from a corner kick in the 83rd minute. Houston quickly restored its two-goal advantage when Adrian Serioux headed in a corner kick from Francisco Navas Cobo.
For Houston, Davis made his first appearance since leaving the United States game against El Salvador with a hamstring injury, and Richard Mulrooney played 88 minutes, his longest stint since coming back from knee surgery.
Houston finished the preseason unbeaten, going 7-0-4 overall, 3-0-4 against professional opposition, and 2-0-3 against MLS teams.
The Dynamo's regular season begins March 27 with a road match against FC Dallas, and the Houston home opener is on Thursday, April 1, against defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake. More information is available by calling (713) 276-7500.
A portion of the proceeds from the Spring Classic will be donated to Direct Relief International, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit organization focused on improving quality of live by bringing critically needed medicines and supplies to local healthcare providers worldwide.
Houston Dynamo
vs. Chivas USA
March 20, 2010 -- Harder Stadium, Santa Barbara CA
Preseason friendly
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Dominic Oduro (Brian Ching) 51
HOU -- Brad Davis (Brian Ching) 59
CHV -- Yamith Cuesta (Gerson Mayen) 83
HOU -- Adrian Serioux (Francisco Navas Cobo) 87
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall, Ryan Cochrane (Andrew Hainault 53), Eddie Robinson, Bobby Boswell (Adrian Serioux 74), Mike Chabala, Brian Mullan (Francisco Navas Cobo 80), Richard Mulrooney (Danny Cruz 88), Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe (Brad Davis 59), Brian Ching (Luis Angel LandÃn 60), Dominic Oduro.
Chivas USA -- Jose Manuel Miranda, Mariano Trujillo (Yamith Cuesta 59), Michael Umaña, Jonathan Bornstein, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud (Jesus Padilla 59), Marcelo Saragosa (Chukwudi Chijindu 67), Sacha Kljestan (Mario Padilla 73), Jorge Flores (Gerson Mayen 76), Osael Romero (Blair Gavin 59), Maykel Galindo (Justin Braun 59).
Misconduct Summary:
HOU -- Brian Ching (caution) 45
CHV -- Yamith Cuesta (caution) 86
CHV -- Ante Jazic (caution) 88
gameSumLabel">Referee: Ashbir Singh
gameSumLabel">Referee's Assistants: Steve Elliott; Reed Christy
gameSumLabel">4th official: Juan Guzman
gameSumLabel">Attendance: 1,657
Weather: Clear -and- 62 degrees
All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
