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Dynamo v LA Galaxy: Houston wins 2012 AEG Bowl

HOUSTON, TX - MAY 26:  Brian Ching #25 of the Houston Dynamo celebrates an own goal by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium on May 26, 2012 in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MAY 26: Brian Ching #25 of the Houston Dynamo celebrates an own goal by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the first half at BBVA Compass Stadium on May 26, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The bad news: This match didn't start well for Houston. The good news: It ended just fine.

After surrendering an early goal on a defensive mistake, the Dynamo came back to down the LA Galaxy thanks to a Mike Magee own goal and a Andre Hainault set piece goal. The victory provides a small level of payback for last year's MLS Cup final, but statements like that should be limited considering nothing can really make up for losing a final. Oh well, we'll take this one.

The Dynamo's defensive problems re-appeared within 10 minutes of kickoff. The Galaxy sliced through the middle of the defense after beating Houston's high line. Chad Barrett got past Jermaine Taylor on the left side, collecting a great pass from David Beckham and sending a cross to Edson Buddle who had blown past Bobby Boswell. Buddle easily beat Tally Hall to put the Galaxy ahead 1-0.

Despite hopes that maybe things had improved, we're left with the painful truth that without Geoff Cameron this defense goes from inconsistent (leaning to good) to inconsistent (leaning to bad). Now that's not to say they were bad the entire game, it's just another instance of a mistake leading directly to a goal.

Houston equalized in the 39th minute in a wonderfully train wreck moment for the Galaxy defense. Je-Vaughn Watson found Brian Ching in space to the left of goal and Ching's shot pinged off the post bouncing right to Mike Magee. Instead of clearing, Magee's attempt to control the ball sent it right in to the empty net. Ugly, but it counts.

The second half started out nicely. Brad Davis stepped up after the Dynamo earned a corner in the 57th minute. Davis sent the ball to the near post where it was met by a rising Andre Hainault who flicked the ball on to the far corner past Brian Perk. It was Davis's 75th career assist.

The most drama late in the match was off the pitch where a member of the El Batallon supporters groups was reportedly tased by security. The entire group walked out of the stadium, leaving an entire section within the supporter's section empty for much of the second half.

A source at the match confirmed there was an arrest but could not get confirmation of the user of a taser.