Dynamo Boot Impact 3-0

The Houston Dynamo completed a three-game homestand with a third win on Saturday night, a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Impact to move into third place in the Eastern Conference. Dynamo forward Macoumba Kandji scored two goals and Bobby Boswell added a third as Houston remained perfect (7-0-3) through ten regular season games at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo outscored their opponents 9-1 in the three wins over the seven-day homestand. 

Houston is unbeaten in its last 18 regular season home games, setting a new franchise record after the club won 17 games from June 26, 2008 to June 20, 2009. The Dynamo are now tied for the third longest home unbeaten streak in MLS history, with the San Jose Earthquakes (2004-05) and the LA Galaxy (2010-2011). The league record is 29, set by Real Salt Lake from June 6, 2009 to May 14, 2011. 

It was Kandji's first two-goal game since Oct. 24, 2009, when he scored two goals for the New York Red Bulls against Toronto FC.

Goalkeeper Tally Hall extended his career-high with his eighth shutout of the season. Hall is tied for second in the league with eight clean sheets this year, trailing only Jimmy Nielsen, who recorded his ninth tonight for Sporting Kansas City.

It was Houston's fourth shutout in its last five games.

The Dynamo improved to 7-0-3 in regular season games at BBVA Compass Stadium and increased their home unbeaten streak to 19 games (playoffs included) since their last defeat, June 18, 2011.

Midfielder Brad Davis entered the game as a substitute and recorded two assists in just 22 minutes. Davis, who led MLS with 16 assists in 2011, now has eight on the season. Davis is tied for third in MLS in assists with Graham Zusi and Marvin Chavez. D.C. United's Dwayne De Rosario leads the league with ten.

Davis now has 88 career assists and moved past Andy Williams into eighth on the league's all-time assist chart. Cobi Jones is Davis' next target, with 91 assists.

Kandji delievered a 1-0 lead for the Dynamo after seven minutes. Calen Carr beat two Montreal defenders to the ball in the corner before slipping a pinpoint pass to Will Bruin,  who was charging into the right side of the box. Bruin gathered the ball and found Kandji inside the six-yard box, where his first shot was blocked by Montreal goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, but his second shot found the net. It was Bruin's third assist of the year and Carr's first.

The game remained 1-0 when Tally Hall produced a vital save on Nyassi in the 78th minute. The Impact forward received a pass on the left side of the area and took a low shot from close range that Hall saved with his legs to maintain the advantage.

Boswell added to the lead six minutes later. Davis delivered a trademark corner kick and Boswell beat his defender before heading it into the far side of the net for a 2-0 lead. It was Boswell's second goal of the year.

It was also Boswell's 164th Dynamo start in all competitions, with the defender passing Brian Mullan for third on the franchise start list.

Kandji added his second goal in the 89th minute on a Dynamo counter attack. Davis received a pass just shy of midfield and played a short ball to Kandji, who ran past three defenders from midfield before entering the box alone against Ricketts. Kandji picked his spot and cracked a shot into the roof of the net from 12 yards, sealing the 3-0 triumph.

The Dynamo (8-5-8; 34 points) are alone in third place in the Eastern Conference. Houston trails New York (38) by four points and Sporting Kansas City (37) by three points with 13 games remaining for the top three clubs in the East. The Dynamo face New York in consecutive games, beginning Aug. 3 in Houston.  

Next Match: Saturday, July 28, 3:30 p.m. CT – Toronto FC vs. Houston Dynamo, BMO Field, Toronto, ON

Next Home Match: Friday, August 3, 7 p.m. CT – Houston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston