Played
March 11, 2012 7:07 PM EDT
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee: S. Petrescu
Attendance: 14464
March 11, 2012 7:07 PM EDT
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee: S. Petrescu
Attendance: 14464
Chivas USA 0-1 Houston Dynamo: Andre Hainault wins season opener at the death
Dan Kennedy kept his side in the game, but it ultimately wasn't enough as Hainault's last-gasp effort sealed the win for Houston.
By Seth Vertelney
Getty Images
Houston Dynamo defender Andre Hainault popped up in second-half stoppage time to net a dramatic winner as his side won 1-0 at Chivas USA in both teams' season opener.
Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy made a number of key saves throughout the match, but ultimately, last season's Eastern Conference champions found a very late breakthrough.
The home side's best chance came with five minutes left in the first half when Juan Pablo Angel's volley off a corner kick struck the near post with Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall stranded.
Houston had a great chance to take the lead in the 78th minute when Brad Davis sent a ball over the top of Chivas' defense that was met by a fantastic Brian Ching volley, only for it to rattle off the inside of the far post.
Just when it looked like the game would end scoreless, Houston found itself a winner.
Davis swung in a corner in the 92nd minute, which Kennedy punched away. Adam Moffat hit a shot from the top of the box and Hainault stuck out a foot to intercept, then turned and fired home from close range, leaving Kennedy with no chance and sealing all three points.
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Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy made a number of key saves throughout the match, but ultimately, last season's Eastern Conference champions found a very late breakthrough.
The home side's best chance came with five minutes left in the first half when Juan Pablo Angel's volley off a corner kick struck the near post with Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall stranded.
Houston had a great chance to take the lead in the 78th minute when Brad Davis sent a ball over the top of Chivas' defense that was met by a fantastic Brian Ching volley, only for it to rattle off the inside of the far post.
Just when it looked like the game would end scoreless, Houston found itself a winner.
Davis swung in a corner in the 92nd minute, which Kennedy punched away. Adam Moffat hit a shot from the top of the box and Hainault stuck out a foot to intercept, then turned and fired home from close range, leaving Kennedy with no chance and sealing all three points.
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Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
