Metapan wins first of Group Stage, denies Houston return to quarters

October 22, 2009

Emerson Umana scored with a deflected 35-meter free kick to give Metapan its only victory of the Group Stage, 3-2 over Houston on Wednesday, a result which denied the Dynamo a place in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

Metapan already had been eliminated but was able to play spoiler, preventing Houston from returning to the knockout stage and sending through Arabe Unido. The Panamanian side lost 2-0 earlier Wednesday but advance with 10 points, three more than Houston.

Houston rallied after falling behind 2-0 by the eighth minute, equalizing with a goal by goalkeeper Tally Hall in first-half injury time, and appeared to have the better of play and chances.

But Umana’s goal ended an eight-game winless streak for Metapan, which won for the first time since since a 3-1 victory over Firpo in the Salvadoran Apertura on September 12.

Houston would have advanced to the quarterfinals with a victory, but allowed goals by Elias Montes in the seventh minute and Anel Canales a minute and a half later on two defensive gaffes.

Ryan Cochrane tried to head a high ball at the top of the defensive third to defensive partner Eddie Robinson, who couldn’t control it, and Montes pounced on the loose ball. He one-touched to the top of the penalty area and sent a ball that Hall was able to get a piece of but not stop.

Another lapse enabled Canales to dribble through the middle of the Houston defense unmarked and again beat Hall from the edge of the area.

Houston began to dominate and capitalized in the 28th when Wade Barrett and Brian Ching combined, with a final through ball to Geoff Cameron, who hit a low roller inside the far post.

The Dynamo tied the match a half minute into injury time when Hall launched a free kick from 70 meters. Ching and Metapan goalkeeper Jose Luis Gonzalez collided as both leaped for the ball, allowing the it to bounce behind Gonzalez and into the net.

Gonzalez reportedly was taken to the hospital for precautionary X-rays and was replaced by regular keeper Alvaro Alfaro to start the second half.

Houston manager inserted U.S. national team midfielder Stuart Holden to start the second half, and the Dynamo had several chances. Alfaro had several saves to thwart Houston, including a 60th-minute stab that pushed away a header by Ching.

METAPAN, El Salvador

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