The Dynamo are off to their best start in franchise history, after defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Saturday afternoon at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif. Brian Ching earned a 14th-minute penalty kick and Brad Davis slotted the ball home to give Houston its first ever 2-0 start to a season.
The goal was Davis' 36th career regular-season goal and his 22nd as a Dynamo player.
While possession was very even throughout the match, San Jose had the better of the chances on goal, outshooting Houston 22-8.
Former Dynamo striker Chris Wondolowski nearly gave the Quakes the lead in the ninth minute after he beat Tally Hall to the ball from a long throw-in. Wondolowski took a touch around the Dynamo goalkeeper but his outside-of-the-foot attempt hit off the near post.
The play which resulted in the Dynamo penalty kick began when midfielder Adam Moffat lofted over the Quakes defense into the penalty area. San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch came off his line to clear the ball after in bounced near the six-yard box but collided with Ching. The spot kick was awarded and Davis, who converted all three penalty attempts in 2011, buried the chance past the out-stretched arm of Busch.
In the second half, Wondolowski sprung clear behind the Dynamo defense and fired a hard shot from the top of the penalty area, but Hall came off his line well and parried the shot away.
In the 81st minute, San Jose substitute Tressor Moreno played a deft ball to Shea Salinas on the left side of the area. Salinas’ shot from 12 yards was on the wrong side of the near post for another missed chance.
The Dynamo survived two late free kicks from San Jose from just beyond the penalty area. Marvin Chavez sent the first over the crossbar before Wondolowski’s effort in stoppage time was blocked by Houston’s wall.
Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall recorded five saves in the game to record his ninth career shutout.
The win was also the 102nd regular season victory for Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.
The Dynamo continue their seven-game road trip on Friday in Seattle, when they face the Seattle Sounders at 9 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network).
Houston Dynamo (2-0-0) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (1-1-0)
March 17, 2012 – AT&T Park, San Francisco, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
HOU – Brad Davis 1 (penalty) 14
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall; Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Jermaine Taylor; Colin Clark (Nathan Sturgis 82), Adam Moffat, Je-Vaughn Watson, Brad Davis; Brian Ching (Cam Weaver 67), Will Bruin (Calen Carr 67).
Substitutes Not Used: Alex Dixon, Macoumba Kandji, Tyler Deric, Brian Ownby.
San Jose Earthquakes – Jon Busch; Steven Beitashour, Victor Bernardez, Justin Morrow, Ramiro Corrales; Shea Salinas, Sam Cronin (Sercan Guvenisik 81), Khari Stephenson (Tressor Moreno 63), Rafael Baca (Marvin Chavez 46); Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart.
Substitutes Not Used: Simon Dawkins, Jason Hernandez, David Bingham, Jean-Marc Alexandre.
Misconduct Summary:
SJ – Steven Lenhart (caution; Reckless Foul) 50
HOU – Jermaine Taylor (caution; Reckless Tackle) 53
HOU – Geoff Cameron (caution; Reckless Tackle) 63
HOU – Andre Hainault (caution; Reckless Tackle) 83
Referee: Chris Penso
Referee's Assistants: Brian Poeschel; Mike Rottersman
4th Official: Yader Reyes
Attendance: 21,816
Weather: Cloudy-and-55-degrees
