Second Half Savants: The Dynamo are 5‐2‐8 in games in which they were tied at halftime and 7‐0‐1 when leading at the interval. Houston is 12‐2‐9 when tied or leading at the break. The Dynamo have outscored opponents 23‐17 in the second half this season. Houston’s 1‐1 draw vs. Toronto on Aug. 22 was the first time it did not win a game it let at halftime.
Cameron receives U.K. visa to complete transfer to Stoke City: Former Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron was granted a United Kingdom visa on Aug. 8, completing his transfer to English Premier League club Stoke City. Cameron, 27, made 116 regular season appearances for the club in five seasons, scoring 11 goals with 15 assists. The Attleboro, Mass. native played various roles in central midfield and center back for the Dynamo and was named an MLS All‐Star in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Cameron also won Houston’s Golden Boot in 2011 with five goals and five assists in a career‐high 33 games.
Bruin in elite sophomore company: Forward Will Bruin is in elite company for second‐year players in MLS. Bruin is tied for second in goals for players who debuted in MLS in 2011, with 16 goals in 53 games. Toronto FC’s Danny Koevermans leads second‐years players with 17 goals while Vancouver’s Camilo is tied with Bruin with 16 goals.
Dynamo snap eight‐game unbeaten run: The Dynamo were unbeaten in eight games (6‐0‐2) before the 2‐0 loss at New York on Aug. 3. It was the longest regular season unbeaten streak since Houston set a franchise record with 11 consecutive games without a loss, from April 11 ‐ June 20, 2009 (8‐0‐3). Houston also had ten‐game unbeaten streaks in 2007 (8‐0‐2) and 2006 (4‐0‐6). Houston outscored its opponents 15‐2 during the eight‐game streak.
Taylor tallies third fastest Dynamo goal: Jermaine Taylor scored just 72 seconds into the 2‐0 win over New York on Aug. 3. It was the third fastest goal in Dynamo history, and second fastest in regular season play. Joseph Ngwenya scored 12 seconds into Houston’s SuperLiga game versus Morelia on July 29, 2007 for the fastest goal in team history. Brian Ching scored the fastest goal in MLS play, netting a goal 67 seconds into the match at Real Salt Lake on Sept. 19, 2009.
Three’s Company (shutouts): After going over three years without three consecutive shutouts, the Dynamo recorded three clean sheets in a row twice in a seven‐game span in July and August. Houston kept its third straight clean sheet on Aug. 3 versus New York after recording three in a row to begin July. Before the run of six clean sheets in seven games, the last time Houston recorded three straight was May 30 – June 10, 2009.
Carr sets career high with fourth goal: Calen Carr set a career high with his fourth goal of the season on Aug. 3 All four goals were scored in a four‐game span, including two versus Kansas City on July 18. Carr scored 3 goals in 2010 and 2007.
Brad Davis, Midfield Maestro: Midfielder Brad Davis recorded two assists on July 28 at Toronto for his second consecutive two‐assist game and his fourth straight game with an assist. The all‐star midfielder has 11 assists on the season. Davis is in fifth place in the league in assists. It is the fourth consecutive season and fifth in his last seven that Davis has recorded ten or more assists.
Davis, Cameron named All‐Stars: Midfielder Brad Davis and former Dynamo defender Geoff Cameron were named to the inactive roster for the 2012 MLS All‐Star Game. The Dynamo pair were among a group of 13 players named All‐Stars that did not compete in MLS’ 3‐2 win against Chelsea FC on July 25. The 13 inactive All‐Stars were voted on by the players. It is the fourth straight year that Davis is an All‐Star, and his fifth selection overall.
East Coast Bias: The Dynamo completed a stretch of 14 consecutive games against Eastern Conference teams on Sept. 2 at Chicago. Houston is 7‐5‐8 overall versus the Eastern Conference.
Ching reaches third on Dynamo games played list: Brian Ching made his 185th Dynamo appearance in all competitions on July 7 at Kansas City. He passed Brian Mullan for third on Houston’s all‐time games list.
Davis passes De Ro for second on Dynamo scoring list: Brad Davis’ goal in the first half on June 30 was his 25th regular season goal with the Dynamo. He moved past Dwayne De Rosario into second on the franchise scoring list.