Preseason: Nathan Sturgis Goal Leads Dynamo Past Galaxy

Well it's just a preseason match and doesn't count for anything, but the Dynamo's 1-0 victory over the LA Galaxy does give us the ever so slightest bit of retribution after last season. Nathan Sturgis scored his second goal of the preseason as the Dynamo defense continued it's streak of clean sheets with their fifth straight shutout of the preseason.

Here's the Dynamo's match report:

CARSON, CA (Friday, February 10, 2012) -- The Houston Dynamo posted their fifth consecutive preseason shutout, as they defeated LA Galaxy 1-0 Friday morning at The Home Depot Center, in Carson, Calif. Nathan Sturgis scored the game’s lone goal as the Dynamo improved to 5-0 during their preseason campaign.

The Dynamo nearly got on the board in the 3rd minute, when Colin Clark picked up a loose ball around midfield. Clark raced down the left wing and sent a cross to Brian Ownby. The rookie midfielder took one touch and fired a low shot to the far post, but Galaxy goalkeeper Josh Saunders knocked the ball away for a corner kick.

Much of the Galaxy action in the first half went through midfielder David Beckham, and the England international nearly had his hand in two scoring opportunities late in the half. In the 36th minute, Beckham played a through-ball to Edson Buddle who sent his shot directly at Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall. Minute later, Beckham curled a free kick from 28 yards out toward the top corner of the net, but Hall tipped it away with his out-stretched hand to keep the game scoreless.

Similar to Wednesday’s game against Montreal, Houston broke through in the second half. In the 68th minute, midfielder Josue Soto picked up the loose ball from 35 yards out and sent a looping cross into the Galaxy penalty box. Sturgis – who had moved up from his center back position for a corner kick second earlier – backpedaled and flicked a header past goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.

Rookie forward Colin Rolfe, who entered the game at halftime, was ejected in the 72nd minute for a harsh tackle on Galaxy defender Andrew Boyens.

The Galaxy tested Hall once more, on a late strike from Rafael Garcia, but the Dynamo goalkeeper punched the ball over the crossbar to preserve the shutout.

The Dynamo will play their next match Sunday morning against the Portland Timbers. The match will be played on University 2 and will kick off at 12:30 p.m. CT.

Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy
February 10, 2012 – The Home Depot Center – University 1
Preseason Scrimmage

Scoring Summary:
HOU – Nathan Sturgis (Josue Soto) 68

Houston Dynamo – Tally Hall, Andre Hainault (Kofi Sarkodie 46), Jermaine Taylor (Bobby Boswell 46), Geoff Cameron (Nathan Sturgis 46), Corey Ashe (Oscar Recio 46), Brian Ownby (Warren Creavalle 46), Adam Moffat (Josue Soto 46), Je-Vaughn Watson (Philip Aseweh 46), Colin Clark (Eder Arreola 46), Darryl Roberts (Macoumba Kandji 46, Daniel Roberts 81), Will Bruin (Colin Rolfe 46, Cam Weaver 73).

LA Galaxy – Josh Saunders (Bill Gaudette 46), Bryan Jordan (J.T. Murray 46), Tommy Meyer (Bryan Gaul 46), AJ DeLaGarza (Andrew Boyens 46), Todd Dunivant (Dustin McCarty 46), Hector Jimenez (Ryan Thomas 46), David Beckham (Michael Stephens 46), Marcelo Sarvas (Rafael Garcia 46), Paolo Cardozo (Stephen Posa 46), Pat Noonan (Adam Cristman 46), Edson Buddle (Jack McBean 46).