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Cunningham Lifts Dallas Past Dynamo
Jeff Cunningham shines again as Dallas avenge two previous losses to Houston.
Aug 6, 2009 8:25:25 PM
The
Jeff Cunningham Show does not appear likely to stop any time soon.
After tallying four goals last week against Kansas City, the 32 year-old striker helped Dallas beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park with a stellar strike in the 20th minute. Last night’s performance improved Cunningham’s recent hot streak of eight goals in the past five games—tying him with Seattle’s Freddy Montero as the second highest scorer in the MLS at nine goals.
Dallas entered the match hoping to win on consecutive occasions for the first time this season and improve its prospects of making the playoffs. Houston, on the other hand, was trying to maintain their momentum at the top of the table after staving off a late rush from DC United on Saturday.
First Half
Cunningham nearly scored just 11 seconds into the match when a misplayed clearance header by the Houston defense gave him an opportunity at the top of the box. His shot would miss wide left.
Minutes later, Brek Shea almost broke the tie when his header off of a set-piece hit the crossbar.
In the 12th minute, Cunningham was brought down inside the left corner of the box by Bobby Boswell, resulting in a yellow card for the Houston defender and a penalty kick for Cunningham. Cunningham’s penalty would be stopped by Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
Cunningham would finally make his mark in the 20th minute with a powerful strike from 25 yards out. After a nifty first touch at midfield, Cunningham worked his way up through the Houston defense, cut past Boswell, and sent in a screamer past the diving Onstad.
Second Half
Houston would be unable to counter, despite multiple chances from Stuart Holden, including a 62nd minute run in which the American international beat multiple defenders the left side only to see his quality chance stopped by Dallas’ Dario Sala.
The tone of the match would turn sour in the 73rd minute, however, when Houston’s Brad Davis, who was on the bench, was awarded a red card. Dallas’ Dave Van den Bergh was attempting to save a ball from heading out-of-bounds by sliding in front of the Houston bench. Davis stood up from the bench and muttered something to Van den Bergh. Davis was immediately shown red and ejected from the match.
Andre Rocha nearly doubled Dallas’ lead in the 86th when his attempt at a golazo hit the crossbar. Twenty-five yards out and with his back to the goal, Rocha took the ball off of his chest, turned, and sent a powerful drive on goal that would have beaten Onstad.
Rocha’s missed chance would not matter, however, and FC Dallas would hold on to beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0. Dallas has a chance to knock-off both conference leaders in successive weeks when they take on Columbus next Saturday.
Houston, still atop the western conference, will have little time to ponder about the loss as they face Chicago on Sunday.
Greg Adrouny, Goal.com
For more news from Major League Soccer visit Goal.com's MLS page.
After tallying four goals last week against Kansas City, the 32 year-old striker helped Dallas beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park with a stellar strike in the 20th minute. Last night’s performance improved Cunningham’s recent hot streak of eight goals in the past five games—tying him with Seattle’s Freddy Montero as the second highest scorer in the MLS at nine goals.
Dallas entered the match hoping to win on consecutive occasions for the first time this season and improve its prospects of making the playoffs. Houston, on the other hand, was trying to maintain their momentum at the top of the table after staving off a late rush from DC United on Saturday.
First Half
Cunningham nearly scored just 11 seconds into the match when a misplayed clearance header by the Houston defense gave him an opportunity at the top of the box. His shot would miss wide left.
Minutes later, Brek Shea almost broke the tie when his header off of a set-piece hit the crossbar.
In the 12th minute, Cunningham was brought down inside the left corner of the box by Bobby Boswell, resulting in a yellow card for the Houston defender and a penalty kick for Cunningham. Cunningham’s penalty would be stopped by Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
Cunningham would finally make his mark in the 20th minute with a powerful strike from 25 yards out. After a nifty first touch at midfield, Cunningham worked his way up through the Houston defense, cut past Boswell, and sent in a screamer past the diving Onstad.
Second Half
Houston would be unable to counter, despite multiple chances from Stuart Holden, including a 62nd minute run in which the American international beat multiple defenders the left side only to see his quality chance stopped by Dallas’ Dario Sala.
The tone of the match would turn sour in the 73rd minute, however, when Houston’s Brad Davis, who was on the bench, was awarded a red card. Dallas’ Dave Van den Bergh was attempting to save a ball from heading out-of-bounds by sliding in front of the Houston bench. Davis stood up from the bench and muttered something to Van den Bergh. Davis was immediately shown red and ejected from the match.
Andre Rocha nearly doubled Dallas’ lead in the 86th when his attempt at a golazo hit the crossbar. Twenty-five yards out and with his back to the goal, Rocha took the ball off of his chest, turned, and sent a powerful drive on goal that would have beaten Onstad.
Rocha’s missed chance would not matter, however, and FC Dallas would hold on to beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0. Dallas has a chance to knock-off both conference leaders in successive weeks when they take on Columbus next Saturday.
Houston, still atop the western conference, will have little time to ponder about the loss as they face Chicago on Sunday.
Greg Adrouny, Goal.com
For more news from Major League Soccer visit Goal.com's MLS page.
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