Dramatic 2-1 Win Over The San Jose Earthquakes Puts Houston Dynamo One Step Closer to a Playoff Spot

Houston, Tx – In front of a crowd of 21,876 at BBVA Compass Stadium, the Houston Dynamo put themselves just outside the final playoff spot by dismantling the San Jose Earthquakes, behind two goals from Demarcus Beasley and Alex to win 2-1.

The atmosphere was incredible and the Dynamo needed this win, in unison the crowd rose and fell each time the Dynamo came just inches from breaking the deadlock. It wasn’t until the 55th minute when Barnes found Demarcus Beasley who neatly sliced through two defenders placing his shot near post past the San Jose keeper putting the Dynamo up 1-0 and sending the crowd into a frenzy. It was his first goal for the club and he celebrated it with a little “Beasley Shimmy” as he pointed to Barnes to give him credit for the assist.

San Jose’s Fatai Alashe was sent off when he picked up his second yellow after Barnes had beaten him down the side and Alashe pulled him back, reducing the Earthquakes to ten men in the 60th minute.

The Earthquakes did manage to get back in it as Shaun Francis headed a hopeful ball into the box forcing an egregious error from Dynamo keeper Joe Willis who was in for the injured Tyler Deric. Willis misplayed the ball, which landed right in the path of San Jose’s Quincy Amarikwa, who chested it over the line leveling the score at one apiece.

The Dynamo were undeterred as they kept pushing for a winner and were rewarded with the game winner 6 minutes later. The inclusion of Oscar Boniek Garcia immediately had a positive effect on the game. Coyle was rewarded with his decision to bring him in as Garcia played a lovely through ball to Sheanon Williams who put a beautiful low ball across the box right into the path of Alex Lima who made no mistake as he rocketed his shot into the open goal for the win. A stunning fireworks display after the match presented by Kroger was a fitting way to end an incredible evening.

Real Salt Lake’s 4-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps was just another thing to go the Dynamo’s way as it allowed them to go ahead in the standings by two points and putting the Dynamo(8-8-7,31 points) five points clear of the Earthquakes(7-10-5,26 points). Just one point separates the Dynamo and the Seattle Sounders(10-11-2,32 points) who currently occupy the final playoff spot.

The Dynamo have really come together and found their form as of late going three games undefeated. With an inconsistent season of key players injured and international call-ups, Owen Coyle has brought some good players into the club and our depth is now something most coaches would envy. The signing of Sheanon Williams at right back has seen instant success and has played quite well since his arrival. The young Argentinian midfielder Lionel Miranda is a rising star. He’s done brilliantly taking over Boniek Garcia’s duties as playmaker since the Honduran international’s injury. Now that Boniek is back and looking to be fully fit, seeing him and Miranda on the field at the same time along with a front three of Bruin, Cubo, and Barnes we would be a real nightmare for any defense in the league and there would be no shortage of goals. Forever Orange!

The Houston Dynamo’s next game is against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, August 15th at 6:30pm.