Boniek García continues strong start: Boniek Garcia scored for the second consecutive game on Sept. 29 vs. New England, his third overall goal in orange. The Dynamo are 8‐3‐6 in MLS play since the Honduran midfielder’s debut on June 30 (record includes 1‐0 win over Real Salt Lake when Garcia missed game for international duty). Garcia has three goals and six assists and has played 90 minutes in each of his 16 games. Houston has outscored its opponents 24‐15 in the 16 matches Garcia has played. Despite not playing in the first 15 games of the season, Garcia has the second most assists on the club, six. The 28‐year‐old Designated Player signed with Houston on June 7 after playing for Honduran powerhouse C.D. Olimpia since 2003. The midfielder debuted for the Honduras national team in 2005 and has 73 appearances for his country, including five appearances in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Possession: The Dynamo have won the possession battle in 26 of 32 games this season. The Dynamo had 56 percent possession against Montreal on Oct. 6, 66% against New England on Sept. 29, 54% against Philadelphia, lost the possession battle to Sporting Kansas City (59‐41%) and Real Salt Lake (58‐42%) but have mostly controlled possession. Houston had 67% against Chicago on Sept. 2, 58% against Toronto on Aug. 22, 65% against Columbus, 55% at New York on Aug. 10, 52% vs. New York on Aug. 3, 60% at Toronto, 58% vs. Montreal, a season‐high 71% against Kansas City on July 18 and 67% vs. D.C. United. Houston lost the possession battle to Sporting KC on July 7, 50.2%‐49.8%, had 61% vs. Chicago on July 3, 55% vs. Philadelphia, had less, 53‐47%, at Montreal, had 63% vs. Toronto, 54% against FC Dallas, 54% at Vancouver, 60% vs. LA, 62% at New England, 60% vs. Portland, 56% vs. D.C., 53% at New York, 54% at D.C., a 49‐51% disadvantage at Columbus, 55% at Chicago, 56% at Seattle, a disadvantage (48‐52%) at San Jose, and 53% at Chivas USA.
Dynamo tighten grip on Champions League Group 3: Houston will meet C.D. Olimpia of Honduras (1‐1‐1, 4 points) on Tuesday at BBVA Compass Stadium in the final group stage game. The Dynamo (2‐0‐1, 7 points) top Group 3, and will win the group with a win or a draw on Tuesday. Houston cruised to a 4‐0 win over C.D. FAS of El Salvador on Sept. 20 in CONCACAF Champions League group play. Midfielder Giles Barnes highlighted his home debut with a breathtaking goal in the 22nd minute, finding space in the middle of the field before cracking a shot from 30 yards into the upper corner for a 1‐0 lead. Bobby Boswell, Cam Weaver and Calen Carr completed the scoring for the Dynamo.
Second Half Savants: The Dynamo are 6‐3‐8 in games in which they were tied at halftime and 7‐0‐2 when leading at the interval. Houston is 13‐3‐10 when tied or leading at the break.
Davis sets career‐high with seventh goal: Midfielder Brad Davis set a career‐high with his seventh goal of the season on Sept. 14 at Sporting Kansas City. Davis’ previous high for goals was six, set with Dallas in 2003, his second season.
Wonderful vs. West: With the 1‐0 win over Real Salt Lake on Sept. 6, the Dynamo improved to 5‐2‐1 on the season against the heralded Western Conference. Houston also has wins against FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, San Jose and Chivas USA.
Dynamo newcomer Giles Barnes makes debut at Kansas City: Midfielder Giles Barnes made his Dynamo debut on Sept. 14 at Kansas City. Barnes, 24, entered as a substitute for the final nine minutes of the 1‐1 draw. Barnes joins Houston with eight years of experience in the upper levels of English soccer. He has 138 total appearances in all competitions, including 35 games in the Barclays English Premier League. Barnes also made 12 appearances for England’s U‐19 national team. The attacking midfielder joined Derby County of England in 2005 at age 17 and helped the Rams gain promotion to the English Premier League in 2007. Barnes scored ten goals in 84 appearances with Derby County and earned its Young Player of the Year award in 2007. The London native spent 2010‐11 with West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League and made 19 appearances for the Baggies. Barnes played the 2011‐12 season with Doncaster Rovers of the English Championship, the second tier of English soccer. The winger tallied one goal and four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions last season.