There’s an Eastern Conference Final Party in Kansas City and the Dynamo is invited courtesy of a Brian Ching header that lifted Houston to a 1-0 victory and maintained its aggregate goal advantage over the Philadelphia Union on Thursday night.
Houston resorted to what it does best to drive home the game’s lone goal in first-half stoppage time. Brad Davis collected his 18th assist in all competitions this season and fifth assist in his last six outings when he whizzed a cross from the left flank across the Union goal box. Davis’s delivery found a charging Ching, who aimed his header inside the far post past Philadelphia goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon.
The game-winning goal would stand as Ching’s eighth MLS playoff tally in his 10-year career, putting him second among active players in this category. The 1-0 score line marked Houston’s 100th club victory in all competitions (100-72-75) and extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches (6-0-2).
Aside from these few fine figures, however, the second leg of this MLS playoff series between two of the league’s most skilled sides was in fact a yawn. There were few edge-of-the-seat scenarios and little in the line of offensive menace. Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall and Philadelphia’s Mondragon recorded four saves apiece, while the two teams combined for nine shots on target. Although the Union edged the Dynamo in possession, Danny Cruz and Davis put the visitors on their heels to earn numerous set-piece opportunities.
Sensing desperation, Philadelphia opted for a unique triple substitution in the 66th minute, bringing on Justin Mapp, Freddy Adu, and Roger Torres. The move pushed Philadelphia closer to the Dynamo defensive third, but the Union just couldn’t crack the goal line.
Instead, the ‘boring’ match ended in much excitement for Houston fans who celebrated their hometown team’s fourth trip to the conference finals in its youthful six-year existence. The Dynamo will put its eight-game unbeaten streak on the line when it travels to LIVESTRONG Sporting Park on Nov. 6. Houston’s last defeat was a 3-0 tumble on Sept. 10 at the hands of none other than Sporting KC.
