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Own goal propels Dynamo past Crew

Jun 11, 2007 - 1:21 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Houston Dynamo benefited from an own goal to defeat the Columbus Crew, 2-1, on Sunday.

After Houston midfielder Kelly Gray's shot landed in the goalmouth, Columbus defender Chad Marshall slid to deflect the ball but knocked it past Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum for an own goal.

While obviously not pleased with the result, Marshall defended his actions.

"The ball got played in behind and I felt that I had to make a play on it because Joe (Ngwenya) was right behind me," he said. "Obviously I didn't expect it to turn out like that. I don't know what to say, it's tough to have something like that go against you."

The Dynamo got on the board in the 22nd minute courtesy of Ngwenya. The forward scored his third goal in as many games for Houston (5-5-1, 16 points), which has won three in a row.

"I know we picked up more points in the last seven days than we did the first two months of the season," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. "The group was great today.

"Give Kelly Gray credit - it was his run and determination that led to the own goal. That has been the case for us the last week with different guys stepping up for us. Three wins in three games in seven days - we will take that any time."

The Crew responded three minutes later off the foot of forward Alejandro Moreno. His tally, which was his first of the season, was assisted by midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

Ironically, Ngwenya and Moreno were traded for one another earlier in the season.

It was the first loss at home for Columbus (1-4-5), which remains in the cellar of the Eastern Conference.

"It has been the story of our season for us," Columbus coach Sigi Schmid said. "You look at the goals we take. Obviously Joe's was a great header, but if you serve that ball 10,000 more times, he wouldn't score another header. And then we take an own goal. I thought we gave up one good scoring chance at the beginning of the second half. Other than that, we didn't give up many chances."

Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who was in net in Canada's 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Group A match on Thursday, made three saves.

Gruenebaum made two saves for the Crew.