Dynamo Dominate FC Dallas in 5-0 Victory

The Houston Dynamo hoped to earn their first victory of the 2016 MLS regular season campaign against in-state rivals FC Dallas. Last season Dallas swept the Dynamo in the Texas Derby and retained possession of El Capitán for a 3^rd consecutive year. In the Dynamo's previous match the club looked poised to earn the full 3 points against the New England Revolution, but an equalizing goal in stoppage time from Daigo Kobayashi played the role of spoiler at BBVA Compass Stadium.

In the opening minutes against FC Dallas the Dynamo showed their ability to create chances in Dallas's half and were able to get on the score sheet in just the 6^th minute. Andrew Wenger sent in a dangerous ball and David Horst headed home a strong effort through FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez. Minutes later the Dynamo were able to create another chance as Wenger linked with Cristian Maidana who tried to send a ball into Giles Barnes, but the ball went through everyone. Play was briefly stopped as Barnes and Gonzalez both were down with apparent injuries, but both were able to resume playing shortly after.

The Dynamo went up 2-0 in the 13^th minute as Giles Barnes made a run but was knocked off the ball by Matt Hedges. Hedges attempted to play a ball back to goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez, but the two did not clearly communicate and Hedges ended up playing the ball into his own goal.

Giles Barnes had to leave the match early due to an apparent right hamstring injury. Barnes had tried to maneuver around central defender Matt Hedges, but was left clutching his hamstring.  Honduran National Team member Oscar Boniek Garcia would replace Barnes and quickly after entering the pitch Boniek made a move down the left side of the field and was brought down hard by right back Atiba Harris which earned Harris a yellow card.

The goals kept coming for the Dynamo as they were able to capitalize on Dallas's inability to clear the ball from their defensive 3^rd of the field. Andrew Wenger was once again involved as he sent a ball across the top of the 18 yard box which was struck by Ricardo Clark who hit the ball perfectly through traffic to find the bottom corner of the net putting up the home team 3-0.

Wenger put the Dynamo up 4-0 in the 27^th minute following a beautiful run in the box with the ball which bobbled through FC Dallas's defenders and ended up at Wenger's feet and he calmly put the goal into the net.

Before the 1^st half finished, Cristian Maidana was taken down viciously by Maynor Figueroa which resulted in Maidana needing to be subbed off in the 45^th minute for Leonel Miranda. FC Dallas had its best chance of the half before stoppage time as Michael Barrios threaded a ball to Maximiliano Urruti, but Urruti was unable to get the ball on target. The Dynamo would be able to go into the half 4-0, but the injuries to Chaco Maidana and Giles Barnes would dampen some of the enthusiasm.

Dynamo goalkeeper Joe Willis, who was starting again for the injured Tyler Deric, was finally involved in some action early in the 2^nd half. Alex Lima gave up a silly foul and Mauro Diaz's free kick found the head of Ryan Hollingshead, who subbed on for Atiba Harris at halftime, which forced a Willis reaction save. The ball fell to the feet of Kellyn Accosta but Willis was there to slide into another save keeping FC Dallas off the score sheet. Diaz was at it again minutes later as he found a pocked of space to unleash a shot on the Dynamo goal, but it was comfortably saved by Willis.

The game entered a lull as the 2^nd half wore on with the Dynamo controlling possession and quickly dismantling FC Dallas counter attacks. FC Dallas would get another chance on goal with Mauro Diaz finding space at the top of the 18 yard box to play a pass to another FCD attacker whose shot forced a stretching effort by Joe Willis just after the 80^th minute.

In the 83^rd minute Will Bruin controlled a long ball and was taken down in the box, but referee Jorge Gonzalez waved off the pleas of Dynamo players. Bruin would find the goal 2 minutes later in the 85^th after Leonel Miranda chipped a perfect ball to Bruin. Bruin controlled the effort around goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez and finished the ball from a tight angle putting up the Dynamo up 5-0.

After the final whistle blew, the Dynamo are one game closer to regaining possession of the Texas Derby trophy...err...cannon. The team responded brilliantly by preserving the shutout against one of the top teams in MLS and by capitalizing on chances. The Dynamo currently move to 2^nd place in the Western Conference behind Sporting Kansas City with a record of 1-1-0 and a goal differential of +5.

Lineups:

Houston (4-2-3-1): Willis; Beasley, Rodriguez, Horst, Anibaba; Clark (Rocha 77'), Alex; Wenger, Maidana (Miranda 44'), Barnes (Boniek 19'); Bruin

Dallas (4-2-3-1): Gonzalez; Figueroa, Zimmerman, Hedges, Harris (Hollingshead HT); Acosta, Gruezo (Ulloa 63'); Castillo (Akindele 59'), Diaz, Barrios; Urruti

Scoring Summary:

6^' David Horst

Assisted by Andrew Wenger

13' Matt Hedges (Own Goal)

23' Ricardo Clark

Assisted by Andrew Wenger

27' Andrew Wenger

85' Will Bruin

Assisted by Leonel Miranda

Disciplinary Summary:

21' Attiba Harris: yellow card

32' Raul Rodriguez: yellow card

33' Carlos Gruezo: yellow card

34' Andrew Wenger: yellow card

43' Maynor Figueroa: yellow card

80' Oscar Boniek Garcia: yellow card