Will Bruin scored his third goal of the new season and the Houston Dynamo secured a 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dynamo improve to 2-0 on the season and lead the Eastern Conference with six points.
After scoring two goals in the first 13 minutes in last Saturday’s 4-0 win, Bruin delivered the game winner in the 40thminute tonight.
A throw in from Brad Davis was settled by Corey Ashe before it fell to the feet of Giles Barnes. The English forward laid the ball off to Bruin, who faked left before moving right and driving a shot from 25 yards that deflected off Montreal defender Eric Miller and into the net for a 1-0 lead.
Bruin is Major League Soccer’s leading scorer with three goals.
Houston created its first chance in the 10th minute as Barnes drove down the endline before playing a ball through the penalty area to Andrew Driver, who drove a low shot that forced a sliding save from Montreal goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
Montreal pushed for the opening goal and created two chances from forward Andrew Wenger. First, Wenger stayed onside on a ball over the top of the defense from midfield, but David Horst recovered well to prevent Wenger’s shot after he raced alone into the area. Then in the 39th minute Wenger took a good feed from Collen Warner and drove a shot from 15 yards that forced a low save from Tally Hall.
Hall continued his strong night eight minutes after halftime, moving to his right to parry a 25-yard half volley from Patrice Bernier over the crossbar for a corner kick.
Montreal threatened again on a corner kick in the 62nd minute as the ball fell to the ground six yards from goal, and Wenger drove a low shot that was cleared off the goal line by Kofi Sarkodie.
Moments later, Hernan Bernardello drove a shot from 30 yards that took a deflection before Hall dove to his left to push it wide.
The Dynamo came close to adding to their lead in the second half, including two chances for Boniek Garcia, who fired wide of the far post twice, including a sensational half-volley from a difficult angle that narrowly missed the far side of the net.
Bruin had an opportunity in the 75th minute, driving in behind the Montreal defense and forcing a leg save from Perkins.
The Dynamo preserved the lead and Tally Hall recorded his 30th career regular season shutout.
Houston midfielders Servando Carrasco and Brian Ownby entered in the second half for their 2014 debuts.
