HOUSTON -- D.C. United improved their standings in the race for the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs ever so slightly, thanks to a scoreless tie with the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium on Sunday evening.
Though disappointed not to be leaving Houston with a win, United are happy to be leaving Robertson Stadium with at least one point.
"We came here for more than a tie," United goalkeeper Louis Crayton said. "We came to win here. Just like in past results, we didn't come here thinking we were going to lose this game. We came here prepared physically and mentally to win. But we still got a good result."
Coach Tom Soehn agreed, saying that the tie is "a good turning point for us. We've gotten two results on the road, and now we go back home."
The game was largely a defensive struggle, with the teams combining for only nine shots, including just three on goal. Soehn praised his team's effort in holding Houston's potent offense scoreless.
"[We] defended with passion tonight," Soehn said. "We're really coming out and giving ourselves a spark as far as how we're dedicated to coming out and getting behind the ball, making it hard for teams to score on us."
Crayton's play was a bright point in that defensive effort, bouncing back from a disappointing effort in which he surrendered three goals to Chivas USA on Oct. 4.
Though the 'keeper was only called upon to make two saves during the course of the game, he was very active in the defense, punching away crosses and sliding to stop attacking Dynamo forwards. On one occasion, Crayton came more than 30 yards out of the box to stop a run by Houston forward Dwayne De Rosario.
"I am very grateful to God for having played a good game tonight," Crayton said, "especially after what happened last week against Chivas. I think it was a redemption game for me tonight."
The play got physical in the second half, as both teams were frustrated with their inability to score. Referee Baldomero Toledo felt compelled to issue seven cards in a 20-minute span between the 53rd and 73rd minutes of the second half.
"When it started being physical, we retaliated," Crayton said. "Not in a negative way, but we had to be strong because playing here is difficult. I'm very impressed with the way my team played here today, especially playing with one man down, we still played very well, and that is good."
DC played a man down for the last 17 minutes of the match after defender Bryan Namoff received his second yellow card for elbowing Houston midfielder Brad Davis when the two both went up for a loose ball.
"It was a completely accidental knock," Namoff said. "Not allowing a 50/50 challenge at that point in the game with a 0-0 tie is a complete error. I don't think [Toledo] even knew that I was already on a yellow card."
Despite unhappiness over that specific call, D.C. is happy about the result and like their chances of making it to the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs.
"We had a very good game tonight," Crayton said. "I'm very proud of how we played. We didn't get three points, but we played a good game."
"Give credit to Houston," Soehn said, "they're a good team. To get a result here, you know you have to defend hard. We were passionate about the way we defended, and knowing what it takes to get a result, so it was a real positive step for us, and our guys are really fighting for each other right now."
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