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Ching's tally fuels Dynamo

Aug 20, 2007 - 2:28 AM HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Forward Brian Ching scored the lone goal of the match in the 42nd minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated FC Dallas, 1-0, on Sunday in a match between Western Conference powers.

Just before intermission, midfielder Brian Mullan sent a cross inside the box to Ching, who converted a diving header past FC Dallas goalkeeper Ray Burse for his seventh goal of the season.

Canadian Dwayne De Rosario was also credited with an assist on the play.

With the victory, Houston (11-7-4, 37 points) leapfrogs Dallas (11-7-3, 36 points) in the Western Conference standings and hands its Lone State State foe its first loss in seven matches.

"It's a huge three points. It's nice to be back (on top)," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. "The season's not over, but obviously we're happy with the way the week went."

The victory also netted Houston the "El Capitan," an 19th-century cannon awarded yearly to the series winner between the intrastate rivals. The Dynamo defeated Dallas, 2-1, on June 3 and the teams played to a scoreless tie at Dallas on June 30.

Houston also claimed the cannon last season en route to winning its first MLS Cup.

Ching's tally came shortly after Houston midfielder Nate Jaqua had a goal called back after an offside call in the 39th minute. Jaqua had faked out Burse and went around him for what appeared to be an easy goal before referee Tim Weyland whistled the play dead.

Regardless, Jaqua saw the bigger picture after the match.

"Honestly, it's not so much that they're the in-state rivals, but it's that they were ahead us in the standings and to get back in front of them was really the most important thing," he said.

Dallas did its best to answer in the second half.

In the 54th minute, Carlos Ruiz's header off a corner kick went right into the hands of Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad (five saves).

Burse had four saves for Dallas, which has never won at Houston.

"I'm disappointed to lose one-nil a couple minutes before halftime," Dallas coach Steve Morrow said. "A part from a lot of long balls and set plays they threw at us in the first half, we coped with it pretty well and weren't in too much trouble with anything else. ... We've come with a very depleted team today, a lot of bodies missing as well. So I think the boys did gave their best effort but the quality just wasn't there today."