Dynamo 3, Impact 0
HOUSTON -- The Houston Dynamo advanced comfortably into the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Impact on Thursday. Two goals from forward Will Bruin and a converted penalty from Oscar Boniek Garcia were all Houston needed thanks to a stingy defense led by goalkeeper Tally Hall.
Bruin upped his playoff goal count to six in just 10 games. Bruin scored the game's opening goal in the 16th minute after receiving an impressive backheel pass from midfielder Ricardo Clark that sent the young forward in on goal. Bruin ripped his shot past Impact 'keeper Troy Perkins to give Houston an early lead.
The Dynamo extended their lead in the 27th minute when Oscar Boniek Garcia converted a penalty kick. Garcia stripped Montreal defender Hassoun Camara and streaked toward goal. As Garcia cut back, Hernan Bernardello collided with Garcia and referee Mark Geiger immediately pointed to the spot.
Montreal had plenty of chances to pull a goal back. Marco Di Vaio had two quality chances in the 44th minute and the 61st minute, but Hall was up to the task on both efforts to hold the Impact scoreless.
Bruin iced the game in the 72nd minute when he and defender Matteo Ferrari ran after a ball hit into the Montreal third. Bruin won the 50-50 chance was in on goal, where he slotted home to make it 3-0.
Tempers flared late as a few physical altercations earlier in the match came to a head with Corey Ashe receiving a yellow and Montreal having both Di Vaio and Andres Romero ejected. Along with defender Nelson Rivas, who was shown his second yellow card in the 70th minute, the Impact finished the match with three players sent off.
With the victory, the Dynamo extend their all-time home record in the MLS playoffs to 9-1, with their only home loss coming to the New York Red Bulls in 2008. The Dynamo will square off against the Red Bulls on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
