Houston Dynamo Vs. D.C. United, 2012 MLS: 10-Man D.C. No Match For Houston

D.C. United hoped to pick up three points on Sunday to keep pace with Kansas City atop the Eastern Conference, but once Bill Hamid was sent off those hopes were dashed. The D.C. goalkeeper was shown red in the 17th minute and Houston cruised from then on in a 4-0 demolition at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Hamid was sent off when he wiped out Macoumba Kandji. The Senegalese was in all alone on goal and when he touched the ball past Hamid, who had come off of his line to cut down the angle, the goalkeeper took out Kandji's legs. The referee had an easy call and he made it, pointing to the spot and showing Hamid a red card.

Up a man, Houston took complete control. Brad David knocked home the penalty awarded for Hamid's foul and Houston was a goal up. Will Bruin then had an easy tap in to make it 2-0 after some pretty play by Luiz Camargo and Oscar Boniek Garcia. Garcia then got a goal of his own on the other side of halftime before Brian Ching capped things with an 89th minute tally.

D.C. obviously did not keep pace with Kansas City atop the East and sit in second place, while Houston has gotten some breathing room in fifth place, the final playoff spot. They are six points clear of sixth place New England.