Dube Strikes Again As Revs Win In Houston

On a hot, swampy night at Robertson Stadium, both teams entered the game riding decent streaks. Houston had not lost at home in more than a year, while New Engalnd was undefeated in their three previous visits. Both were also wondering where the quality was going to come from in the absence of several stars. League-leading Houston were without Briang Ching and Stuart Holden, both away on international duty with the US team, plus injuries ruled out Brian Mullan and Richard Mulrooney. Meanwhile, the visiting Revolution were still missing Taylor Twellman and Chris Albright, while all-star holding midfielder Shalrie Joseph, whose second-half appearance last week against Chivas USA sparked a victory, was only fit enough to make the bench.

Not that it mattered. The two sides pushed through the heat and absences to produce chance after chance.

 First Half

Dube showed his intent to be a factor early. His diagonal runs caused problems for the Houston backline, and in the 11^th minute he streaked in behind the defense to latch onto Steve Ralston’s flicked header. Dube was along with the keeper, but his shot was smothered by keeper Pat Onstad.

Five minutes later, Dube played set-up man, releasing rookie Kevin Alston, who one-timed his shot over the bar.

Finally, in the 21^st minute, Houston mounted their first attack. A clever run put Dominic Oduro in behind the defense. The Ghanaian striker hit a dipping volley that Revs keeper Matt Reis palmed just wide. It would be a theme of the night, Oduro running behind the defense but not able to put the ball away.

At the half hour mark, Dube was again in a dangerous position. Kenny Mansally, who is settling into his role on the left side of the NE midfield, curled a ball around the back of the Houston defense. Dube reached it but was unable to get any power on the shot.

Set pieces have been the bread and butter for Houston this season, and they produced good chances for the hosts late in the first half. First, a 36^th-minute freekick from Brad Davis fell to Andrew Hainault, but his shot from six yards was gobbled up by Reis.

Just before the halftime whistle, a bang-bang played released Geoff Cameron, a centerback forced to play attacking midfield in Holden’s place, in the middle about seven yards out. The ball wouldn’t settle, though, and Reis was able to fall on it before the shot came.

Second Half

Shalrie Joseph came on for the Revolution in the second half, showing the side’s intention of changing the style and using a targetman. This dropped Steve Ralston into the midfield. It was a move that would prove fortuitous for the guests. A quick interchange in the 48^th minute showed how.

 Joseph flicked a ball into Dube at the top of the area. The speedy striker faked like he was going to try to turn and instead dropped the ball back to a late-arriving Ralston, who slid a pass to an open Sainey Nyassi, alone on the right side. The young Gambian midfielder took one touch and fizzed a low shot that clanged off the right post.

Were the Revs set to push for the opening goal?

 No. The chance ignited the Houston response. In the 51^st minute, Hainault again found himself at the end of a messy corner kick but his shot was saved by Reis. Then US international Ricardo Clark leapt for a header off a Hainault cross, forcing Reis into a low save on the goal line.

 In the 66^th minute, Kei Kamara knocked on a long ball and Oduro loped into the area. He tricked his way past the defender, but in the process killed his angle and Reis was able to make the save.

The young prospect Danny Cruz came on in the 74^th minute, and within seconds of his introduction, he had a glorious chance to give the home fans something to cheer about. A long cross from the left side fell to Cruz alone at the far post. But he got it all wrong and put his header over the bar.

 The miss portended bad things for Houston and just two minutes later they paid the price. A seeing-eye ball out of the back from Kevin Alston found Ralston making yet another deep run from the midfield. Ricardo Clark was unable to catch up to him and the Revs captain flicked his shot up over the on-rushing Onstad. The ball spun tantalizingly toward the goal, but a Houston defender looked able to kick it out of danger. That is, until Dube streaked in and slammed home for the eventual matchwinner.

A 91^st minute header from Julius James came close to equalizing for Houston, but the damage was done. The Revs had the three points, their third win in four tries at Roberston Stadium.

With the victory, and Kansas City’s draw, New England move into sole possession of 5^th place in the East, still three points out of the playoff zone. Houston, meanwhile remain atop the west heading into next week’s All-Star Game.

Scoring Summary

NE – Dube (76’)

Greg Lalas, Goal.com