A week ago, the Houston Dynamo welcomed the New York Red Bulls to BBVA Compass Stadium and beat them rather handily, 2-0. This week, it was the Red Bulls' turn to give the visitors a rude welcome as they picked apart the Dynamo, 2-0, at Red Bull Arena to move into first place in the Eastern Conference.
New York Red Bulls Vs. Houston Dynamo, 2012 MLS: RBNY Wins, Moves Top Of East
The first half saw both teams create some chances with the Red Bulls taking the match to the Dynamo, who were content to defend and counterattack. That strategy almost backfired when Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill also scored, but both missed their chances and when they did counter they were dangerous. Macoumba Kandji really stood out against his former team and putt the Dynamo in dangerous positions, but like the Red Bulls, they couldn't break through.
Just after the hour mark, New York finally broke though. A cross from Roy Miller found Cahill, who headed the ball down for Markus Holgersson. The Swede then just had to tap the ball into the open goal and the home side was in front.
Despite falling behind a goal, Houston still relied on the counterattack and once again, they had some success through Kandji. The striker continued to pester the New York defense and he almost equalized in the 71st minute, but his shot hit the post.
Eventually, the Dynamo had to stop counterattacking and take the match to the Red Bulls. It almost paid off when Corey Ashe hit a blistering shot, but like Kandji, he couldn't beat the bar.
The Dynamo's hopes were extinguished in extra time when Jan Gunnar Solli tapped the ball in to make it 2-0. All three points went to New York, who are now tops in the East, one point clear of Houston.
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