The first half started out really slow. Basically, both teams were kicking the ball either over each other’s heads or leading their forwards just a little too much. It was a lot of throw-ins and goal kicks. Oh and this “yellow card”:
Cubo Torres quickly became enemy #1, with the crowd booing every time he touched the ball.
Houston Dynamo’s first chance was in the 9th minute. Mauro Manotas received a cross and was wide open so he dribbled in, but Tim Howard had a solid save with his foot. Houston tried to get a shot on the rebound, but Castillo blocked it out for an orange corner.