Match Thoughts: Houston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls

NY's Victor Palsson commits a yellow card tackle on Oscar Boniek Garcia (Getty Images)

Ladies and Gentlemen, there's a new sheriff in town in the Eastern Conference.  Please welcome the Houston Dynamo, your new leaders.  They vaulted into the pole position with a convincing 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls Friday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.

New York was hoping for a bright start, with new DP Tim Cahill making his MLS debut.  It didn't happen as the Dynamo seized control from the first kick off.   In the second minute Brad Davis set up for a free kick and put the ball into the penalty area.  The Red Bulls looked utterly lost as the ball finally fell to Andre Hainault, who put a shot on target that Bill Gaudette was barely able to keep out.  Then Jermaine Taylor came in totally unmarked and tapped the ball over the goal line to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead.

After that the crowd in Houston waited to see if the Red Bulls could regroup and try to get into the match after giving up the first goal.  It didn't happen.  The Houston attack continued to cause New York problems as their defense wandered rather aimlessly and their midfield just looked uninspired without Dax McCarty, who was serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation.  Both Will Bruin and Oscar Boniek-Garcia forced saves out of Gaudette, but Calen Carr finally added the Dynamo insurance goal in the 28th minute.  He got loose and headed in a cross from Mac Kandji to make it 2-0, which was the score at half time.

The Dynamo continued their march early in the second half.  Will Bruin nearly made it 3-0 in the 47th minute, but sent his shot just wide of the far post.  New York did get a couple of looks as well, though none really threatening.  Tim Cahill missed with a header in the 64th minute and Kenny Cooper hit a shot right at Tally Hall in the 74th.  Thierry Henry was practically invisible. 

Boniek-Garcia had a couple of good looks late on for the Dynamo.  In the 86th minute he drove a shot that just missed the far upper corner, and Gaudette managed to save his last effort in the first minute of stoppage time to make the final score 2-0.

The win puts the Dynamo on top of the East with 40 points, though Sporting Kansas City equaled that total with a win over New England on Saturday.  New York falls to third place, still on 38 points.  The two teams will meet again next Friday at Red Bull Arena.