RED BULLS DEFEAT HOUSTON, 2-0, IN FRONT OF SOLD OUT CROWD AT RED BULL ARENA

 Forward Fabian Espindola and midfielder Jonny Steele scored second half goals and the defense posted its fifth shutout of the year, as the New York Red Bulls earned a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in front of a sold out crowd of 25,483 at Red Bull Arena Sunday afternoon.

The victory lifted the Red Bulls (8-6-4) to sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference with 28 points, trailing the Montreal Impact by one point.

New York looked to take hold of the contest from the start and Thierry Henry nearly provided the hosts the opening tally in the 15^th minute, firing it wide after good buildup in Houston’s defensive end. On the other end, Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark had an open look but shot right at goalkeeper Luis Robles.

Henry again had another opportunity following a chested Tim Cahill pass in the 27^th minute and his first-time attempt rolled past the left post. With four minutes remaining in the half, Henry made space for himself in the left side of the box and knocked it high.

In the second half, Robles helped keep the visitors off the board, extending to deny Giles Barnes. Henry again threatened the Dynamo defense in the 49^th minute, rolling it past the right post after being put through by Espindola.

Espindola would draw first blood for the hosts in the 60^th minute. Eric Alexander had possession on the right wing and stringed a well-weighted pass to an onside Espindola, who raced in on goal and tucked it into the back of the net.

Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall kept the score 1-0 in the 79^th minute, blocking substitute Peguy Luyindula’s on target attempt before getting to Henry’s rebound.

Steele wrapped up the three points for the hosts two minutes from full time. Henry slid it to Steele and the Red Bulls midfielder blasted it past Hall and into the top corner of the net.

The Red Bulls return to play on July 4, when they battle the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park at 9:30 PM ET (TV: MSG; Radio: ESPN Deportes Radio Nueva York 1050 AM). New York’s next home match is on July 13 against the Montreal Impact at 7:00 PM. Tickets are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.

New York Red Bulls 2, Houston Dynamo 0
June 30, 2013 – Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ
MLS Regular Season