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Steve Ralston scored for the Revs in their win against Houston Thursday. (Photo credit: Joyce Furia). |
Nicol opted to switch to a 4-4-2 formation, giving Amaechi Igwe the start at left back and handing recently signed rookie Pat Phelan a debut start in the center of the midfield. Meanwhile Houston, facing many absences as well, switched things up and started out with a 4-5-1 formation.
For the Revs, the moves immediately paid dividends when Ralston gave them the lead in the 8th minute. Dube broke into the left side of the box off a throw-in and sent a pass across the goalmouth. Houston goalkeeper Tony Caig dove to try to bloke the cross, but missed and Ralston was positioned near the far post for an easy tap-in.
Houston should have tied it back up in the 26th minute when Corey Ashe picked up a poorly cleared ball from the Revolution. The Houston winger sent the ball to a wide open Geoff Cameron in the box, with Reis out of position. The Massachusetts native, however, somehow managed to send his shot well wide of the open net.
Dube doubled the lead in the 35th minute. The Zimbabwean striker volleyed a Mauricio Castro corner kick on frame. Caig was well positioned and got to the shot, but the shot hit his chest and bounced into the net.
Houston pressed forward the rest of the half, but Reis was there to save any attempt they put on frame, making several important shots late in the half.
The Revs defense held strong after half time and Houston rarely bothered Reis. The few times the Dynamo did get shots off in the second, they were almost always well off target.
Houston was given a late lifeline thanks to a shaky penalty call in the 80th minute. Michael Parkhurst tackled away the ball from Caraccio at the top of the box. Not only did it look like a fair challenge, but replays also indicated the infraction occurred outside of the box.
Referee Mark Geiger, however, must have seen it differently as he whistled for a penalty kick. Stuart Holden stepped up to take the kick and slowly took the run-up. The young midfielder aimed for the far post, but Reis made a huge save, diving to his right to preserve the shutout.
Sainey Nyassi had a chance to make it 3-0 in the 89th minute, when a perfect pass from Ralston sent him free down the left flank. Nyassi picked up the ball in midfield and ran all the way into the box before unleashing a shot. Caig, however, had left his line and was right in front of Nyassi to deflect the shot out for a corner.
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