The Houston Dynamo made things simple regarding their CONCACAF Champions League fate with their 2-0 win over W Connection.
Houston cashed in on a riveting smash from rookie Jason Johnson and a second-half insurance header from Bobby Boswell to move to seven points in Group 1. With their final match opponent Arabe Unido currently on six points, the Dynamo only needs a result when they travel to Panama Oct. 24 to book passage to the knockout stages.
The result of the game accomplished Houston’s basic intention, but the goal from Johnson gave it some flare in an otherwise quiet affair.
Johnson shook the game out of a slumber with a rocket of a goal off a gifted chance from the W Connection goalkeeper. Alejandro Figueroa cleared a goal kick right to the Dynamo rookie 30 yards from goal. Johnson powered through the right side, into the box and unleashed an absolutely sterling strike to the far side netting to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead in the 40th minute.
Boswell added an early second-half tally to distance Houston from the visitors. After Servando Carrasco had a point blank shot saved, Boswell hit he near post on the ensuing corner to head a shot on goal. Joao Jordao’s arm was in the wrong place, as the ball deflected off him and in for the insurance goal.
Johnson’s goal was the highlight in a half where Houston, while not impressive, did create chances.
Warren Creavalle was just wide from 10 yards out in the 22nd minute and Cam Weaver hit the crossbar off a Boswell flick 10 minutes later. Kofi Sarkodie, who was excellent getting up the right flank to create in the attack, got a taste of his own medicine when Jordao cleared his left-footed attempt off the line in the 34th minute.
W Connection, while without the ball for much of the game, did have an early attempt when captain Silvio Spann attempted to unlock the game from 28 yards out but was wide of goal.
After a lively start from Connection in the second half, Omar Cummings, who was starting his first game this season; somehow missed the target from just 7 yards out. However, Boswell’s goal soon followed to give the Dynamo a cushion.
Second-half substitute Jamal Clarence threatened Houston’s goal in the 61st minute after getting behind the defense but the returning Tyler Deric was quick off his line to snuff out the chance.
Carrasco took an attempt at the spectacular four minutes later with an ambitious crane kick, but Mekeil Williams was there to block the shot as the Dynamo saw out a big win in the regional tournament.
Results
Houston Dynamo 2 v W Connection 0
Johnson 38
Boswell 51
Teams
Houston Dynamo: - 24.Tyler Deric, 6.Mike Chabala, 32.Bobby Boswell (capt), 4.Jermaine Taylor, 8.Kofi Sarkodie, 5.Warren Creavalle (13.Ricardo Clark 57th), 10.Alexander A. López (27.Oscar García Boniek 68th), 17.Servando Carrasco, 7.Omar Cummings, 15.Cam Weaver, 14.Jason Johnson.
Coach: - Dominic Kinnear.
W Connection: - 21.Alejandro Figueroa, 24.Joao Ananias, 25.Christian Viveros, 2.Kurt Frederick, 15.Mekeil Williams, 6.Celio da Silva Santos (27.Yefer Lozano 61st), 7.Silvio Spann (capt) (Jamal Clarence 46th), 14.Hachim Arcia, 3.Gerard Williams, 65.Neil Benjamin (26.Stefano Rijssel 77th), 40.Jomal Williams.
Coach: - Stuart Charles Fevrier.
Referee: - Ricardo Montero.
Venue: - BBVA Compass Stadium.
Video: - Houston Dynamo vs W Connection Highlights.