Houston Dynamo rolls over New York Red Bull

With the visiting Red Bulls reeling, Houston increased the pressure. Davis took his chance in the 10th minute, lacing a blast to force a save from Red Bulls goalkeeper Bill Gaudette. On the ensuing corner Taylor nearly made it a brace, directing his flick into the side netting.
 
After Houston forward Will Bruin tried his luck with a scorcher from just outside the box, Houston’s wingers struck again. The pair of Carr and Macoumba Kandji, who have thrived in Houston’s 4-3-3 system, linked up in the 28th minute. Kandji hit a beautiful swerving ball to the back post, where Carr skied over an unknowing Roy Miller to park a header just inside the far post and give the Dynamo a 2-0 lead. It was Carr’s fourth goal in four matches.
 
The hot conditions, which hovered around 97 degrees at the start of the match, looked to get to the Red Bulls, who traveled to Texas after a friendly last Tuesday against Tottenham. They limped into the half with just two shots and only one on goal. Cahill, who made his first appearance for NYRB against Tottenham, started the match and went a full 90 minutes, but the Australian struggled along with the rest of his teammates on a night when there was precious little chemistry, energy or effective attacking sequences on display from the visitors.

In the second half New York came out with an improved vigor; holding the ball and putting the Dynamo under pressure in the first 10 minutes. But after the initial burst, the Dynamo settled in and Houston responded by pushing numbers forward and exploiting their speed advantage on the flanks to put Gaudette under constant pressure and see out the win.
 
For New York, second half sub Kenny Cooper, Sebastien Le Toux and Thierry Henry all had chances to pull one back after the break, but none of their efforts troubled Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall, who needed to make just two saves on the night.   Houston’s victory pushes the Dynamo (11-5-7) to 40 points and allowed them to extend their current unbeaten streak to eight matches. New York stays on 38 points and have now lost two in a row.