Houston Dynamo win 2-0 over Chicago Fire

Houston faced off against the Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon in a game Houston needed to win to help get them to the playoffs. A round of unfavorable results Saturday in the Eastern Conference made this game that much more important to those hopes.

The Dynamo had a few chances earlier on. The best chance came from DaMarcus Beasley as he put a low cross across the face of goal. Unfortunately, there wasn't any one in orange around to put it in. Minutes later Brad Davis sent in a corner kick that David Horst got his head on but he coudn't direct the ball to the net.

The Dynamo wouldn't stay off the scoreboard for long. Ricardo Clark got past his defender on the left and crossed the ball to Omar Cummings. Sliding Cummings split the two defenders around him, put the ball past the goal keeper for Chicago and into the back of the net. Houston up 1-0.

Chicago started to push after the Dynamo goal. Taking a shot from far out it was deflected to Amarikwa. Horst and Amarikwa had an exchanged that ended in Horst being issued a yellow card. As is becoming a usual for Horst his temper got the better of him and his teammates had to hold him back and calm him down. A few minutes later, Chicago was awarded a free kick just outside the box after Amarikwa was fouled by Horst. The attempt went right into the wall.

The Dynamo almost made it two as Boniek Garcia made a beautiful long pass to Giles Barnes. The Englishman chipped the ball to goal, but Sean Johnson managed to get a hand on the ball pushing it over the net. Chicago answered on the other side of the field as Dynamo goal keeper Tyler Deric got a finger on a header from Amarikwa to keep it from going in the net.

Early in the second half Boniek sent another great pass to Barnes but Johnson was able to save Barnes' shot. AJ Cochran headed the ball towards goal on a corner kick, but Johnson was able to save that as well.

Chicago had chances early on included one where Earnshaw put it in the back of the net, but he was ruled offside. Chicago began to maintain some possession and move the ball forward. Chicago pressured harder and harder forcing Deric to make several saves in front of the net.

The Dynamo were able to get the ball back and make it count. Sarkodie crossed the ball to Davis who centered it from the far post. Boniek was able to send the ball into the net right past Johnson. This put the Dynamo up 2-0 over the Fire. The Fire tried to push but couldn't make much of it.

The team was able to finish out the second half and hold on for a 2-0 win. Unlike second half collapses of previous games this season the team held strong all game long. The midfield played great on both sides of the ball some thing the shaky Dynamo defense needs. Luis Garrido proved once again what a great move bringing him to the team was. Holding on for three points was something that this team had to do.

They head on the road to face the New York Red Bulls next week in another must win game.

Lineups:

Houston: Deric; Sarkodie, Horst, Cochran, Beasley; Garcia, Garrido, Clark, Davis (C) (84 Driver); Barnes, Cummings (79 Cummings)

Chicago: Johnson; Pause, Larentowicz (C), Ianni, Segares (80 Ward); Watson, Cocis (28 Nyarko), Shipp; Sinama-Pongolle (65 Alex), Earnshaw, Amarikwa