Houston Shrug Off Loss, Galaxy Hope To Continue

CARSON, Calif. -- The Houston Dynamo, riding the high of an eleven-game win streak, came up a little short against an unlikely squad to end their run - the struggling Los Angeles Galaxy.

Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said his team hadn't played their very best, but he blamed himself for the play that lead to the game's only goal.

It was his call for his players to change their defensive set up for the corner kick just before the goal.

But Kinnear gave credit to the Galaxy's dogged effort.

"In the first half, I think they were more physical than we were," Kinnear admitted.

He denied that his league-leading squad had overlooked the Galaxy at all.

"They have respect for all the teams they play against," Kinnear maintained.

Pat Onstad, Houston's goalkeeper, admitted that the whole goal sequence left him little time to make any save.

"I didn't even really see it," said Onstad.

The hero for the Galaxy, defender Todd Dunivant, not only staked the club to its lead of one goal, but was a key part in the effort to make sure it held up.

"It's a great feeling, to be able to help your team out that way," Dunivant noted.

Dunivant got a touch on a Mike Magee shot in a hustling effort.

 "They played it short and I just found myself in a little gap and I was able to redirect it," said Dunivant.

Forward Edson Buddle mentioned that the team play of Los Angeles was more in sync in the winning effort.

"Hopefully, we can keep that going," said Buddle.

The Galaxy will welcome back forward Landon Donovan from Confederations Cup play where he scored twice.

Coach Bruce Arena didn't seem concerned about whether Donovan would be distracted or tired from international duty.

"A good player is a good player," said the former national team coach.

Houston face the Kansas City Wizards in their next match, while the Galaxy take on the New England Revolution.

Andrea Canales, Goal.com.