The Houston Dynamo earned their first win of the 2010 season with a come-from behind 2-1 victory over defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake Thursday night in the Dynamo’s home opener at Robertson Stadium before a crowd of 18,197. Brad Davis netted two second-half penalty kicks to provide the winning margin.
The Dynamo improved to 1-0-1 on the season and earned their first win in a home opener since their opening game in 2006, a 5-2 win over the Colorado Rapids. Houston is 2-0-3 all-time in home openers. It was Houston’s first come-from-behind win in league play since August 31, 2008, a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire. The Dynamo rallied from a halftime deficit to win for the first time in regular season play since June 3, 2007, a 2-1 win against FC Dallas.
Real Salt Lake took the lead in the 17th minute, when surprise starter Alvaro Saborio combined with Kyle Beckerman to play in Javier Morales, who slotted the ball past Pat Onstad for his third goal in two games.
The Dynamo suffered a big blow partway through the first half when captain Brian Ching went down with a hamstring injury and left the game, replaced by Luis Angel LandÃn. There is no timetable for Ching’s return.
Houston came out flying in the first 15 minutes of the second half and earned a chance to tie the game after Geoff Cameron was taken down by Jamison Olave in the penalty area. Brad Davis stepped up and fired the penalty kick past Nick Rimando in the 53rd minute to tie the game.
The Dynamo were awarded another penalty shortly after when Dominic Oduro played a long cross to Luis Angel LandÃn, who made a sharp cutback and was taken down by Jamison Olave, who was yellow-carded on the play. Brad Davis stepped up again and fired a shot to the lower right side of the net in the 56th minute for his second penalty kick goal in four minutes.
Brad Davis became the first Dynamo player to score multiple goals in an MLS game since Brian Ching on August 1, 2009. It was the first multi-goal effort for Davis since his hat trick against Chivas USA on June 21, 2007.
The Dynamo held on for the win behind two saves from Pat Onstad. Houston is now 6-0-1 all-time at home against Real Salt Lake and leads the all-time series 7-2-4.
Midfielder Lovel Palmer, who arrived in Houston on Thursday after paperwork for his P-1 visa was finalized, made his MLS debut as a 90th-minute substitute to help preserve the win.
Midfielder Richard Mulrooney made his 250th career MLS start, sixth among all active field players. Defender Bobby Boswell made his 140th career MLS appearance.
The Dynamo have the weekend off but return to action on Saturday, April 10, hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy, and will complete the homestand the following Saturday, hosting Chivas USA.
Next Game: Saturday, April 10, vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, Robertson Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
