Cristian Arango and Preston Judd each scored goals and the visiting San Jose Earthquakes remained above the playoff line in the Western Conference with a 2-1 victory Saturday over the Houston Dynamo.
The Earthquakes (9-11-8, 35 points) continued their offensive assault, tying San Diego FC for the Western Conference lead in goals scored with 52. The victory ended San Jose’s eight-match losing streak at Houston.
Daniel made three saves for San Jose, which improved to 2-1-0 in August after going 0-3-2 in MLS play in July, while also getting eliminated from U.S. Open Cup play.
Antonio Carlos scored a goal for the Dynamo (7-12-8, 29 points), who could have pulled even with the Earthquakes in the West standings with a victory. Jonathan Bond made two saves for Houston, which is 0-1-2 since the end of Leagues Cup play.
The Dynamo were on a run of three consecutive draws in MLS play going back to July 19.
The Earthquakes took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute, when Arango scored on a long cross by DeJuan Jones from the right corner that Preston Judd let pass through with a slight touch. Arango’s sliding goal was his 12th of the season to tie Josef Martinez for the team lead.
The Dynamo appeared to tie the score in first-half stoppage time but Ezequiel Ponce’s goal was denied when he was ruled offside.
San Jose made it 2-0 in the 64th minute when a deflected ball rolled toward the top of the Dynamo penalty area Ian Harkes sent a rocket through traffic that deflected off Judd’s leg and got past Bond.
The Dynamo received a gift in the 72nd minute when Carlos’ soft header off a corner kick slipped through the hands of Daniel to cut the deficit in half.
San Jose won without Martinez on the bench to start the match. He came on as a substitute in the 79th minute for Arango after Judd started in his place.
–Field Level Media
