Dube, upstart Revolution stun Dynamo

Forward's late goal hands Western Conference leaders rare home loss

Matt Reis made eight saves to key the Revolution win, but it was Steve Ralston's pass to Dube in the 76th minute in front of an empty net that proved to be the difference.

With the win, New England improves to 6-5-5 with 23 points and moves into fifth place in the Eastern Conference with games in hand over every team above them. Houston drops to 9-5-5 with the loss, but with 32 points, the Dynamo still have the most points in the Western Conference and in the MLS overall standings.

New England got the game's first scoring chance in the eighth minute when Ralston took a nicely played ball of his chest about eight yards out on the left side of the area, but as he turned around and let loose a nice shot, Houston defender Julius James came sliding in to block it out.

The Revolution remained on the attack in the 12th minute with Dube taking a Reis goal kick into the area and nearly getting one past Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad, but Onstad stopped Dube's shot.

In the 15th minute, Kevin Alston missed a good opportunity on a 4-on-2 after getting a cross from Ralston on the right side. Alston's open shot from 16 yards out went high over the goal.

Reis was called into duty for the first time in the 21st minute making a nice save on a shot by Houston's Dominic Oduro from the right side to keep it scoreless.

Dube continued to be a problem for the Dynamo in the 31st minute. Using his speed, Dube got behind the Houston defense and took a nice through ball from Kenny Mansally. Dube, however, couldn't get his shot from about five yards out on the right under the crossbar.

Reis made two huge saves in the 37th minute, stopping a header and rebound attempt by Houston's Andrew Hainault off a free kick.

Going right back down the field, Mansally nearly cashed in a free kick from 25 yards out on the right, but Onstad popped it up in the air. Off the ensuing throw-in, Emmanuel Osei had a bullet from inside the area on the right saved by Onstad.

To open the second half, Sainey Nyassi missed giving the Revs the lead by inches. His shot from the right side of the box hit the lower post and bounced out after being deflected. Houston tried to answer right back with Hainault getting another shot off a Brad Davis corner kick but Reis saved it.

Minutes later, Reis stopped Ricardo Clark's header from five yards out. New England went back down the field, and Dube had a one-on-one opportunity, but Onstad was there to slow the shot from eight yards out in the middle, and Hainault cleared it away.

Reis was called into duty again in the 64th minute stopping an Oduro attempt from inside the goal area on the right. In the 68th minute, Ralston tried a low liner from outside the area, but it rolled right to Onstad.

Dube's goal came in the 76th minute off a pass from Ralston. Ralston took a pass on the right side of the area and took it in, bringing Onstad off his line. Onstad slid to try to stop a shot, but Ralston passed it over Onstad for Dube, who came charging in from the left for an easy empty netter.

Reis came up with the save of the game in stoppage time, reaching back to knock a header by Houston's Julius James over the bar to preserve the win.

Both teams will be at home next Saturday, with the Revolution playing host to Toronto FC at Gillette Stadium and the Dynamo entertaining D.C. United at Robertson Stadium.

Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

• Facebook
• Supporter Comments
• Email
• Print

MLSnet.com Comments

• 

  Number of Originals dwindles to one

• 

  Davis: Kreis still has answers for RSL

• 

  Olsen adjusts to 'a whole new animal'

• 

  MLS supports UNICEF's efforts in Haiti