This won't make up for losing the MLS Cup final, but it is three points. The Houston Dynamo beat the LA Galaxy, 2-1, on a hot, humid day at BBVA Compass Stadium to get a modicum of revenge on the team that beat them in last season's ultimate game.
For the second straight match, the Galaxy scored early on to take the lead. Chad Barrett got free down the right and did well to pull the ball back across to Edson Buddle, whose clinical finish left Tally Hall no chance. 10 minutes in and LA was 1-0 up.
Houston took control of the match from that point on, though. They got the ball into the Galaxy box with regularity and while they did struggle to turn that into chances, they were clearly the agressors.
In the 38th minute, Houston finally got their goal, or LA gave them one. The Dynamo hit the bar with a sharp angled shot and it rebounded to Mike Magee, who was right in front of goal. Magee wasn't pressured, but he somehow still managed to knock the ball into his own net and Houston was level.
Fittingly, the Dynamo's winning goal came off of their specialty -- a set piece. Brad Davis' corner kick found Andre Hainault at the near post and the Canadian's header got just inside the near post to put the home side in front.
LA did their best to get back in the match, but without Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane, they were really short on quality. David Beckham had a good free kick and they looked somewhat dangerous on a few other set pieces, but there was no doubt who the better team was and that team took the three points.