Quakes, Dynamo both settle for draw

Hard-fought match sets up interesting rematch in one week

Arturo Alvarez and the Quakes will do battle with the Dynamo again next week at Robertson Stadium. (S. Wolfram/Getty)

San Jose had broken on top in the 50th minute thanks to a wonder blast from Ronnie O'Brien, but substitute Brian Ching equalized in the 71st minute, nodding home Brian Mullan's cross. Houston then had to survive the final five minutes a man down after Eddie Robinson received his second yellow card of the match, but managed to hang on for the draw.

The result, before a standing room only crowd of 10,515 fans saw the Quakes extend their unbeaten streak to nine games, but could only creep with a point of third-place Chivas USA. Houston extended their lead in the West to eight points over second place Real Salt Lake.

The match featured the two hottest teams in MLS. As such, Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear opted to continue with the same lineup that defeated Kansas City last week, meaning that internationals Ching and Dwayne De Rosario started the game as spectators. San Jose counterpart Frank Yallop also made no changes to the lineup that prevailed over D.C. Untied last week.

Houston broke out of the gate quickly, and nearly went on top after just five minutes when Brad Davis' cross was shot just wide by Mullan. This signaled a sustained spell of pressure that saw the Dynamo win several corner kicks. The Quakes looked none too convincing in dealing with the aerial assault, but managed to keep their net clean.

Houston's domination ended abruptly in the 16th minute, when an attempted back-pass by Robinson went straight to Quakes' winger Darren Huckerby. But Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad produced a fabulous double-save, first denying Huckerby and then touching Scott Sealy's follow-up attempt wide.

San Jose also went close on the ensuing corner, but Robinson made amends for his earlier gaffe, clearing Ned Grabavoy's goal-bound effort off the line after Onstad had deflected Huckerby's cross.

The game eventually settled down, with set pieces providing the primary danger for both teams. But Houston made one a final push before half-time. A cross by Kamara was deflected on goal by Jason Hernandez, but Cannon managed to recover and make the save right at the goal line.

Holden then had two opportunities to score late in the half, both following weak punches by Cannon. But the U.S. Olympian fired his first attempt over the bar, and then watched in agony as he hit the post with his second attempt.

The Dynamo picked up where they left off to start the second half, with Mullan's cross back-heeled towards goal by Nate Jaqua, but Cannon held his ground and saved with his feet.

But just four minutes later, the Quakes found themselves in the lead thanks to O'Brien. The Irishman collected a ball from Arturo Alvarez and rather than cross, hit a rocket that snuck just inside the far post.

Houston nearly equalized straight away, with Kamara's header from a Jaqua knockdown going just wide. That was to be Jaqua's last contribution, as he made way for Ching.

But it was San Jose who were next to threaten, as Huckerby's cross in the 65th minute was headed by substitute Ryan Johnson right into the chest of Houston defender Wade Barrett who was standing on the goal line.

The Quakes would end up ruing that miss, as six minutes later Ching headed home Mullan's cross after defender James Riley had mistimed his leap.

Kinnear then turned to De Rosario in the 80th minute, bringing him on for Mullan, and the Canadian twice had dangerous crosses just cleared away by the Quakes' defense.

But Houston was reduced to ten men with just four minutes to go when Robinson was giving his marching orders. He had earlier been cautioned in the 62nd minute for a takedown of Grabavoy, and when Johnson threatened to get past him with just five minutes to go, another late challenge brought about a second booking.

Yet the Dynamo held out for a valuable road point setting up an interesting rematch next weekend when the two teams meet again in Houston.

Jeff Carlisle is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

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