Lee Nguyen Hits A Brace In Win Over Dynamo

Players certainly have funny ways of getting their frustrations out. Some go golfing, others go out for a drink, and some might even take a special someone out on a date. Lee Nguyen likes to score goals and take his frustrations out on his opponents.

After being snubbed for the U.S. Men’s National Team last week, Nguyen hit the Dynamo hard spoiling coach Dominic Kinnear’s final night as coach of the Houston Dynamo. His two goals were enough to lift the Revolution over the Dynamo and keep them in the running for first place in the Eastern Conference.

With Thursday night’s match being the final home match for Kinnear, the Houston Dynamo players came out of the gate swinging. Looking to send the coach who helped guide them to two MLS Cup Championships, the Dynamo attack went straight at the Revolution. With Revolution defender Jermaine Jones resting for the first half after playing for the U.S. Men’s National Team earlier in the week, Houston tried to exploit this weakness with Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis providing the spark.

In the 19th minute one of Davis’ passes would finally find an attacker in open space. Midfielder Luis Garrido delivered a quality strike on target that was eventually blocked by a New England defender. The Dynamo would continue to attack throughout the first half, especially working on the left side of the pitch and left-back Darrius Barnes.

Houston would continue to hammer down the Revolution defense. Forward Omar Cummings would hit a right-footed shot from beyond the eighteen yard box that looked promising but that went just over the bar.

The Revolution were mostly in retreat in the first half, focusing on containing the vibrant Houston attack. They would have their own opportunities though. In the 37th minute, forward Patrick Mullins would find defender Kellyn Rowe on the outside, alone against goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Rowe’s shot was on target but eventually blocked. Rowe would leave the match in a stretcher in the second-half with an apparent ankle injury.

Although New England would threaten in the first half, it was Houston who hit first. In the 37th minute, Dynamo forward Giles Barnes would bury his shot off of a rebound by Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttlesworth. The goal was Barnes’ 11th of the season.

Down a goal and their chances of getting the number two seed in the Eastern Conference finals slipping away, the Revolution would make a serious comeback and it would come off of the feet of Lee Nguyen.

Searching for a goal, Revolution coach Jay Heaps opted to bring in Jones despite him having played 90 minutes on Tuesday. But Jones’ luck continued to pay off for New England as his touch inside found Nguyen. Nguyen would then hit a shot at the upper left corner of the Dynamo goal with Deric only able to look.

With their lead gone, the Dynamo defense looked deflated. The team was barely able to muster an effort to regain the lead. Midfielder Oscar Bonniek Garcia’s cross into Barnes looked promising in the 75th minute, but the New England defense  made the decisive clear.

Nguyen would strike again in the 86th minute when he would finish an inside pass by Scott Caldwell to give New England the 2-1 lead. With his two goals in this match, Nguyen would add to his career-high 16 goals on the season.

With the victory, the New England Revolution (16-13-4, 52 points) kept themselves in contention for first-place in the Eastern Conference and assured themselves of at least a top three spot. They will finish out the regular season at home next week when they play Toronto F.C.

For the Houston Dynamo (11-16-6, 39 points,) Thursday marks the end of the long distinguished career of Dominic Kinnear at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo will wrap their season up on Friday next week when they travel to face the Chicago Fire.