When the MLS schedule was set, Saturday's match between the Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy looked to be a good rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup Final, and possibly a potential preview of the 2012 MLS Cup Final, but the Galaxy have been struggling, having only won 3 matches this season, and big names like Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and Geoff Cameron weren't available due to international call ups. With a 1:30 p.m. start line, the bigger question was how well the Galaxy would hold up in Houston's heat and humidity.
It was the Galaxy who scored first, when, in the 10th minute, Edson Buddle scored his first goal in ten weeks. Whatever life the Buddle goal pumped into the Galaxy was quickly sapped away as the heat began to take its toll on the away side. When Brian Ching's shot hit the crossbar and bounced off of the Galaxy's Mike Magee and into the net in the 38th minute, it looked like the Galaxy were ready to head back home with a draw.
Not long after the second half started, Houston was awarded a corner kick, which Brad Davis took. When Davis put the ball in the air, Dynamo defender Andre Hainault leaped up, heading the ball past Galaxy keeper Brian Perk. That goal, which came in the 57th minute, was all that the Dynamo would need to pick up the win, despite a few minor offensive bursts by the Galaxy before the match ended.
Obviously, the heat was an issue that was addressed by both teams after the match. While Dominic Kinnear and his team don't necessarily enjoy playing on a hot afternoon in Houston, they've seemed to accept it as something that they have to deal with from time to time. Meanwhile, the Galaxy were a little less accepting of the situation. Galaxy coach Bruce Arena not only complained about having to play in the Houston heat, but having to do so after just having played in San Jose on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Beckham complained about both the heat and the officiating.
After the win over the Galaxy, the Dynamo have 16 points and are currently in 6th place in the Eastern Conference.
Up next for the Dynamo is a US Open Cup match against the San Antonio Scorpions at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio at 7:30 pm on Tuesday evening.
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