• Recap
• Bleachers

Dynamo explode for four first-half goals in rout of Chivas

Aug 21, 2008 - 4:58 AM By Jeremy Rakes PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- A four-goal outburst in a game is not very common. The Houston Dynamo are making a habit of reaching that mark before intermission.

Kei Kamara led a four-goal barrage in the first half Wednesday, powering the Dynamo to a 4-0 rout of Chivas USA at Robertson Stadium.

The two-time reigning MLS Cup champion, Houston overcame a short roster and followed the pace it set when it used four first-half goals en route to a 4-3 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

"There's not much more we could have asked for tonight," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We kept a shutout, which was very important and something we talked about at halftime.

"Overall, it was an excellent win. We are scoring goals now and playing very well, so I am pleased for the guys because I do know the work they are putting in every day."

With Wednesday's outburst, the Dynamo have scored four goals in the first half of back-to-back games for the third time in MLS history. Los Angeles previously accomplished the feat twice - May 6-17, 1998 and June 4-7, 1998.

With starting forward Brian Ching, midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and goalkeeper Pat Onstad missing this game due to international call-ups for World Cup qualifying matches, Kamara scored a career-high two goals to lead the Dynamo to their fourth straight win and extend their unbeaten streak to seven.

"We have done a good job of putting a team together," Kinnear said. "We are deep, (but) we know we have a tough schedule that's going to test us later this month and in September. We need as many good players as possible.

"Everyone is focused when they step on the field and, first and foremost, they are good players, so they help us win games."

The triumph also gave Houston a five-point lead atop the Western Conference standings, ahead of idle Real Salt Lake.

"We are back on top of the West; as we know, it's so important to have home-field advantage if you can get it in the second round of the playoffs," Dynamo midfielder Richard Mulrooney said.

Chivas lost for the third time in four games and is winless over its last five contests.

"I don't think we had any strong points tonight," Chivas coach Preki said. "The better team won, they were sharp from the first minute, and that's the end of that. We could've improved everywhere. ... They got an early lead and, after that, it was just a matter of how many we were going to concede on the night."

Stuart Holden opened the scoring in 11th minute. After getting a lead pass from Brad Davis outside the upper left box, he looped the ball over goalkeeper Zach Thornton and into the right side of the net.

Kamara scored the first of his two goals in the 22nd minute, taking a pass from Mulrooney at the top of the box, turning his defender around and firing a shot into the lower left corner while falling to the ground.

"The experience is there," Kamara said. "There are about four or five guys that have been on the team since (it was based) in San Jose. With players that have been (around) that long, there is a lot of respect. ... The experience is here and they have the vision of a champion. That's why I love it here."

Nate Jaqua followed in the 28th minute with a goal off the rebound of a corner kick.

Brad Davis' kick from the right side was headed off the crossbar by Ricardo Clark. The rebound was kicked around inside the six-yard box before Jaqua got a foot on it on the left side and tapped it in the open net.

Kamara capped the onslaught with a header in the 35th minute. Jaqua crossed a centering pass from the outside the left box into the middle for Kamara, who headed it in for the final margin.