Galaxy grind out win against Dynamo

Dunivant goal helps Los Angeles snap two game losing streak

Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant scored his first goal of the season in the 24th minute. (R. Mora/Getty)

Dunivant scored in the 24th minute from a short corner to help the Galaxy to their first win at home in almost two months. The Galaxy had not won at home since a 1-0 outing against New York May 2.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Galaxy and a club-record 11-match unbeaten streak for Houston.

Dunivant gave the Galaxy the lead when he deflected in a part-pass, part-shot from Mike Magee from about 10 yards out. Dunivant sent his shot to the right side of the Dynamo net, beating Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad.

That marked Dunivant's first goal of the season and the fourth in his six-year MLS career.

The Galaxy had not beaten the Dynamo in their last four games at the Home Depot Center. Houston was 2-0-2 against the Galaxy in Carson before Sunday.

The win also gives the Galaxy a much-needed three points in the Western Conference standings. Galaxy players preached coming into the match the importance of winning at home against a tactically disciplined team like Houston.

The Galaxy (3-3-9) controlled the ball for most of the second half, often pushing their lines up. But the Dynamo wouldn't let up.

Houston (8-3-4) had a shot at tying the match in the 65th minute on a counter attack. Midfielder Brian Mullan fed Kei Kamara a through pass, leaving the Dynamo with a 2-on-1 situation.

Kamara dashed up field with Brian Ching running parallel to his left with only one Galaxy defender in between. Kamara attempted what appeared to be a half shot, half centered pass inside the penalty area. It was cut off by Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, ending any threats and a chance for Ching to reach the ball.

Ching also sent a clean header off a corner kick straight to Ricketts in the 88th minute.

Ricketts kept another Dynamo shot out with his chest in stoppage time of the second half when Cam Weaver sent a point-blank near the left post.

The Dynamo had another shot at tying the game just before halftime. This time Kamara sent a shot into the hands of Ricketts near the penalty spot. The play was set up by a Corey Ashe centered pass from the left into the penalty area.

But the Galaxy were the better team Sunday. The home team created fluid plays through the match, led by forward Edson Buddle, who created a handful of dangerous plays.

His header in the 66th minute from Eddie Lewis sailed just wide of the left post.

He also helped set up key attacks in the first half. In the 20th minute, Buddle set up an Alan Gordon blast. Gordon sent the effort wide to the right post of Onstad.

Gordon also sent a loose ball wide to the right after consecutive Galaxy shots blocked by Houston defenders in the penalty box in the 37th minute.

Lewis sent a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box into a wall of defenders. Jovan Kirovski took the ricocheted ball and sent it into another Houston defender with the ball bouncing back to Gordon, who sent it wide.

The win against the Dynamo helps the Galaxy to sixth place (18 points) in the conference standings and perhaps gives a struggling team the boost it has been looking for all season. The Galaxy will look for another home win when they play host to New England July 4.

Houston remains atop the conference standings with 28 points, one ahead of Chivas USA. The Dynamo continue their four-game road swing, which began Sunday, when they travel to Kansas City.

Ivan Orozco is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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