Sun Jun 8 22:30:13 2008

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Ching, Dynamo dominate TFC

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Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Brian Ching notched two goals and one assist as the Houston Dynamo handed Toronto FC a 3-1 defeat at Robertson Stadium on Sunday.

Dwayne De Rosario had a goal and an assist as he played a more attacking role for the Dynamo, which has now lost just once in its last seven games.

Jeff Cunningham tallied his 99th goal in MLS in the 71st minute for Toronto, which had its six-game unbeaten streak snapped with the loss.

The first 20 minutes of the match were sloppy with both teams losing possession far too easily, but things started to pick up in the final 20 minutes of the half with both teams creating chances.

Stuart Holden put the first shot of goal in the 25th minute when he tested Toronto goalkeeper Greg Sutton with a low shot from 30 yards that the keeper had trouble holding.

The visitors responded with their best chance of the half seconds later when Jim Brennan crossed from the left to an open Cunningham at the top of the six- yard box. The delivery was right there but Cunningham should have done much better with the finish as he nodded the ball over the net.

Brian Mullan then set up Ching with a good opportunity on the half-hour mark as he took on a defender on the right flank and slipped a pass into the box for Ching, who got to the ball but pulled his shot wide of the far post.

A Houston corner kick allowed Craig Waibel an open header at the back post, but he was off target as well. The pressure continued for the home side as the half wound down, and the Dynamo struck right before the break.

A long ball from the back was flicked on by Ching into space, allowing De Rosario to get to it inside the box. The Canadian international then chipped the ball over the onrushing Sutton and Houston took a one-goal lead into halftime.

The home side carried its strong offensive play into the second half and it took just seven minutes for Houston to move ahead by two goals.

Patrick Ianni carried the ball down the left wing and slid a pass to De Rosario inside the box. The midfielder then drove the ball first time through the face of goal to Ching, who took a touch and found the upper right corner of the net from eight yards.

Toronto's first shot of the game didn't come until the 64th minute, but it almost led to the team's first goal as Laurent Robert forced a diving save from Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad. The rebound fell nicely to Toronto's Jarrod Smith but Onstad recovered to make another good save, keeping the visitors off the scoreboard.

The result was then put away in the 69th minute when Holden did well to get the ball to the end line on the right and cross for Ching, who easily snapped a header past Sutton from six yards.

Cunningham pulled a goal back for Toronto two minutes later with a good left- footed strike from the top of the box, but it proved to come too late for the Reds to avoid their first loss in seven games.