Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution: Goals End Game Early

Houston Dynamo forward Will Bruin (12) shoots the ball on the New England Revolution goal during the second half at BBVA Compass Stadium. Bruin scores two goals in the first half. The Dynamo shut out the Revolution 4-0. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

The Houston Dynamo welcomed the New England Revolution into BBVA Compass Stadium to begin each of their 2014 seasons. The Dynamo scored early and often on their way to a dominating 4-0 performance, with forward Will Bruin making major contributions on the first 3 goals. One team began the season with an exclamation, the other with a question.

It took all of one minute for Houston to score their first goal of the season. Right back Kofi Sarkodie pushed forward enough to take possession of the ball wide right. He fired a cross towards the top of the penalty box. By all means it should have been blocked by 2013 MLS Defender of the Year, Jose Goncalves, but he missed the ball and it left Houston forward Will Bruin wide open. The back of the net bulged. Houston led 1-0.

A similar play happened twelve minutes later when left back Corey Ashe turned on the jets, stole the ball, and sent a perfectly-placed cross towards the back post. Bruin dashed into open space, making a one time volley past the New England goalkeeper, Bobby Shuttleworth. Although Bruin now had two goals on the 13-minute-old night, it was Ashe’s efforts that produced the second goal.

To add to the early woes of the Revolution, Bruin once again made a big play. He ran direcly between the center backs, pulling each forward in an attempt to stop him, but Bruin slipped a pass through them onto the feet of charging teammate Boniek Garcia. Shuttleworth once again didn’t stand a chance.

New England did have chances at goals throughout the night, but too many off-target shots can be your own worst enemy. One particular pass from Diego Fagundez to Kelyn Rowe probably would have been a potential Goal of the Week, but a little too much power sent the strike soaring over the crossbar. Worse was Jerry Bengston’s attempt a few minutes later, when he shot high even though he stood a few feet from goal.

More attempts by Houston were fairly close to widening the score, but Shuttleworth made a few saves to reclaim some of his lost evening. New England won the possession battle in the second half, but could never get in good position. Houston’s defense constructed a solid back line. However New England’s back line had some troubles, allowing 10 shots from the center penalty box area.

A final stoppage time goal put the Dynamo up 4-0. Omar Cummings used his head to put away a floating pass.

The Houston crowd tallied 22,320. It was the largest crowd in BBVA Compass Stadium’s 3-year history.

The Dynamo will play the Montreal Impact (lost 3-2 to FC Dallas) next week in Houston. New England travels back home to challenge the Philadelphia Union.