By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Houston, TX

The Houston Dynamo shook off their sluggish play in the first half and exploded with three goals in the second to take the first leg of their Conference Finals showdown against the D.C. United Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Coming off a stunning 2-1 win over no.1 seed Sporting Kansas City, Houston's miracle run continued as André Hainault, Will Bruin, and Kofi Sarkodie each found the back of the net in the second half to take a 3-1 victory on their home turf.

D.C United, who came off a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls in the conference semis, drew the first blood courtesy of a magnficent goal from Nick DeLeon in the 27th minute.

However, the complexion of game greatly shifted in the second half as Dynamo became more aggressive offensively.

Hainault stuck an equalizer in the 51st minute while Bruin scored a go-ahead tally in the 68th minute. D.C United threatened several time to score a game-tying goal but Sarkodie put the icing on the cake with a tally in the 81st minute.

With the victory, Dynamo needs only to prevent D.C from scoring two goals in the second leg of their conference finals on November, 18 at RFK Stadium.

 

 

Dynamo Heats Up in Second Half Tops DC United