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It wasn't necessarily pretty but since style points only matter in college football, the Dynamo won't be complaining about their 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes last evening at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Goalkeeper Tyler Deric made three saves to earn a clean sheet in his first career MLS start and Andrew Hainault scored the games' only goal on a diving header in the first half. While the Dynamo had numerous opportunities in the second half to extend the lead, the strong defensive effort was a welcome sight to this Dynamo fan and likely many others.
Deric, a 22-year old product of the Dynamo Academy, became the first home grown Houston player to start for the team and the first home grown goalkeeper in MLS to record a clean sheet in their debut. The shutout is the Dynamo's first in league play since their scoreless draw with Columbus back on July 10th.
Houston struck in the 22nd minute as Hainault got his head on a Brad Davis corner and drove it past Earthquakes keeper Jon Busch. The assist gives Davis 10 on the season, tied for third best in the league. This is also second consecutive season Davis has had double-digit assist.
The victory moves the Dynamo back in to seventh place in the Western Conference ahead of Chivas USA whose has a game in hand on Houston. The Dynamo are 2-0-1 in their last three road matches and will now prepare for their final match of the season against the Seattle Sounders next Saturday afternoon at Robertson Stadium.
Quotes and reactions on the match tomorrow in Monday Morning Centre Back.