The New York Red Bulls are headed for the Western Conference Championship after yesterday's 3-0 demolition of the Houston Dynamo. The two-time defending champion Houston Dynamo became the fifth team with the best record in the West to fall in the first round of the playoffs in as many years.
The Red Bulls opened up the scoring midway through the first half as Sinisa Ubiparipovic sent a forward pass to Dane Richards, who took full advantage of the loose marking he was receiving from defender Wade Barrett. As he received the ball, he quickly turned upfield and sped passed Barrett before he blasted a shot into the left side's upper ninety.
New York then found the scoresheet again just nine minutes after their initial goal. In the 36th minute, midfielder Ricardo Clark was called for a hand ball in his area and Juan Pablo Angel rocketed the ensuing penalty kick into the upper left corner giving the Red Bulls an improbable 2-0 lead in Houston.
Juan Carlos Osorio's men would put the nail in the coffin late in the second half. It was just ten minutes away from the final whistle when Richards once again flew by his defender to control the ball just before the touchline. He then placed a firm cross along the ground towards the center of the penalty area and John Wolyiece took care of business as he struck the ball to the back post.
The New York Red Bulls did the unthinkable yesterday by shellacking the Dynamo and they are surprisingly turning their late season adversity into post-season motivation. But Houston did have its fair share of chances in the second half to mount a comeback but to no avail as goalkeeper Danny Cepero made some out of his mind saves to preserve the shutout. The Red Bulls will now have a week to prepare before their clash with Real Salt Lake in this Sunday's Western Conference Final.
Did you see the match? What do you think of the Dynamo's downfall? Think the Red Bulls have what it takes to make it to the MLS Cup Final? Share your thoughts below.
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