Dynamo 1 - 1 D.C. United
Final
  for this game

Houston finishes off D.C. to return to MLS Cup

Nov 18, 2012 - 11:46 PM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - The Houston Dynamo will battle for the MLS Cup again.

Houston tied D.C. United, 1-1, on Sunday at RFK Stadium in the second match of the Eastern Conference championship to advance to its second straight final on aggregate, 4-2. The Dynamo won the first leg, 3-1, in Houston.

The Dynamo have advanced to four of the last seven MLS Cup championship games, winning in 2006 and 2007 against the New England Revolution and losing last season to the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Houston will visit either Los Angeles or Seattle Sounders FC in the final Dec. 1 at 4:30 p.m. (ET).

The Dynamo had a comfortable two-goal cushion after winning the first match at home to complete an unbeaten season at BBVA Compass Stadium, and Boniek Garcia added to the advantage in the two-legged series with a goal in the first half.

Brad Davis slipped a pass from the end line to Garcia inside the six-yard box, and Garcia tucked a shot past United goalkeeper Bill Hamid to the near post in the 34th minute for his first playoff goal.

United did welcome Dwayne De Rosario back as a second-half substitute, but the 2011 MVP could not produce a memorable return in his first appearance since he was sidelined with a knee injury late in the regular season.

Facing a three-goal deficit against Houston, United managed just one late goal from Branko Boskovic.

Maicon Santos and Boskovic worked a nice give-and-go outside the area, and the Montenegro international scored to the near post past Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall in the 83rd minute.

United extended its impressive home unbeaten streak to 18 matches, but came up short of its first appearance in the MLS Cup since it won its fourth trophy in 2004.






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