The Houston Dynamo closed the regular season with a well-earned 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders Saturday afternoon at Robertson Stadium before a crowd of 23,990. Geoff Cameron and Cam Weaver scored well-taken goals for Houston in the win, while Brad Davis played a part in the buildup to both goals to finish the season with 12 assists.
Home-grown goalkeeper Tyler Deric, making his first start at Robertson Stadium, made a career-high five saves to earn his second straight win. The back-to-back wins were the first for the Dynamo in MLS play since June 10-13, 2009 against Chivas USA and FC Dallas.
Following the game, Dynamo players made a lap of the field addressing fans with a ‘Thank You’ banner, and the players joined Dynamo season ticket holders for a post-game party to close the season. Houston is expected to begin training camp on February 1, 2011.
Seattle opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Seattle forward Nate Jaqua, a former Dynamo player, fired a shot from inside the penalty area that was saved by Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Jaqua got to the rebound first and laid it into the path of defender James Riley, who fired a right-footed shot into the top right corner.
Seattle fired off four shots in the first 18 minutes, forcing Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric – making his home debut after his pro debut last week at San Jose – into three early saves. The Dynamo got the next five shots, however, finishing the first half with a 5-4 shot advantage and the game with an 11-8 margin. Houston had nine corner kicks to Seattle’s one.
Houston tied the game in the 27th minute with a well-worked goal started by Geoff Cameron with a scoop pass at the halfway line. From there, Brad Davis flicked the ball over his shoulder to Dominic Oduro, who played it into the path of Cameron, who broke into the left side of the penalty area and ripped a low, left-footed shot inside the far post for his third goal of the season.
The Dynamo took the lead less than one minute after halftime, set up by more good buildup. Corey Ashe started the play by switching the field from right to left, and Brad Davis used a backheel pas to get the ball to an overlapping Mike Chabala in the left corner. Chabala served a high cross to the edge of the six-yard box, where Cam Weaver, who played college soccer at Seattle University, headed it in for his third goal of the season. The assists were Chabala’s fourth and Davis’ 12th, both career highs. Davis now has six assists in his last seven games, and his 12 assists rank third in MLS.
The crowd of 23,990 on Fan Appreciation Day was the third highest of the season for the Dynamo, trailing only home games against D.C. United (May 22) and New York (July 31).
Midfielder Brad Davis made his 145th start for the Dynamo in all competitions, and defender Bobby Boswell made his 110th. Midfielder Corey Ashe tied a career high with his 27th MLS appearance of the season.
The Dynamo played without midfielder Colin Clark (ACL surgery).
Next Game: The 2011 regular season will kick off in March.
