FRISCO, Texas -- Geoff Cameron scored with three minutes remaining as the Houston Dynamo earned their first road win of the season on their 16th attempt with a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon at Pizza Hut Park.
For full match stats, visit the MLS MatchCenter.
Cameron headed home a Brad Davis corner kick to secure all three points and give the Dynamo the right to retake El Capitán, the 18th century howitzer cannon symbolic of the Texas Derby rivalry with FC Dallas.
More importantly for the Dynamo, the win at Pizza Hut Park catapulted them to first place in the Eastern Conference with 42 points, leading the Columbus Crew by one point. The Crew play host to the LA Galaxy later on Saturday night.
The shutout loss for FC Dallas marked their third straight defeat in league play and extended their scoreless streak to 270 minutes after striking the woodwork three times against Houston.
Both teams returned vital players to the lineup with Dynamo forward Brian Ching starting for the first time in two games and FCD’s Marvin Chávez returning from an ankle injury suffered with the Honduran national team in early September.
The Dynamo came out of the gates fast with Luiz Camargo registering the games first shot in the 2nd minute but the team in orange would fail to generate many more chances in the first half.
Contrary to their CONCACAF Champions League game against Pumas on Wednesday, FC Dallas put several shots on target in the first half, forcing Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall to make three early saves, perhaps none bigger than the one he made on Jackson in the 12th minute.
Combining with Brek Shea with a series of header passes, Jackson worked his way into the Dynamo 18-yard box and side-winded a Shea pass at Hall, who sprawled to his right to make a diving save of what looked like a certain goal for the home side.
WATCH: Jackson and Shea combine for a quality opportunity
With the scoring drought continuing and the first half nearing end, Andrew Jacobson appeared to have terminated the scoreless stretch when he volleyed home a ball in the box in the 42nd minute. However, referee Ricardo Salazar called George John for interfering with the goalkeeper on a 50-50 ball that was punched right at Jacobson’s feet.
In the second half, the Dynamo were kept inside their own defensive third for a majority of the 45 minutes but FC Dallas couldn't capitalize with Jackson proving unlucky on the afternoon.
In the 58th minute after taking possession in Houston’s half of the field, Jackson – who moved to the striker position after the break – ran at Houston's goalkeeper and from a tight angle the Brazilian hit the woodwork at the far post to FC Dallas’ frustration.
Minutes later, John headed a ball in the box on frame on a play that started on a corner kick, but the crossbar was there to thwart him too.
WATCH: John's header catches the crossbar
FC Dallas next travel to 2010 MLS Cup champions the Colorado Rapids on Saturday Oct. 1 while the Dynamo play on the same day at Robertson Stadium against the Chicago Fire.
Scoring Summary:
HOU -- Geoff Cameron 5 (Brad Davis 14) 87
Houston Dynamo -- Tally Hall, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe, Adam Moffat, Luiz Camargo, Brad Davis, Brian Ching (Carlo Costly 78), Calen Carr (Colin Clark 64), Danny Cruz (Je-Vaughn Watson 58).
Substitutes Not Used: Will Bruin, Hunter Freeman, Jermaine Taylor, Tyler Deric.
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Zach Loyd (Jack Stewart 71), Ugo Ihemelu, George John, Jair Benitez, Jackson, Brek Shea, Andrew Jacobson, Daniel Hernandez, Ricardo Villar (Daniel Cruz 53), Maicon Santos (Marvin Chavez 46).
Substitutes Not Used:Fabian Castillo, Jeremy Hall, Bobby Warshaw, Chris Seitz.
Misconduct Summary:
HOU -- Bobby Boswell (caution; Reckless Tackle) 26
DAL -- Ugo Ihemelu (caution; Reckless Tackle) 33
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee's Assistants: Craig Lowry; Peter Manikowski
4th Official: Armando Villarreal
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Sunny and 90 degrees
Attendance: 10,849
