MLS Standings 2012: Revolution 9th in East after loss to Dynamo

The New England Revolution are second-to-last in the Eastern Conference after a loss to Houston that helped move the Dynamo into the playoff picture. Kansas City and San Jose still sit atop the two conferences.

Revolution Vs. Dynamo Final: New England Fails To Spoil Houston's Playoff Hopes, Loses 2-0

The New England Revolution went to Texas to face the Houston Dynamo hoping to be playoff spoilers, but instead found themselves on the receiving end of a well-deserved 2-0 defeat. Ricardo Clark and Boniek Garcia got on the board for the Dynamo.

Revolution Vs. Dynamo Score Update: Clark Fires Houston Ahead 1-0

The Houston Dynamo struggled in the first half, but in the second half they began to make the game their own and it culminated in a 1-0 lead over the New England Revolution in the 77th minute. Ricardo Clark scored his first MLS goal since returning to the Dynamo from Europe this summer to give the home side the advantage with playoff implications on the line.

Substitute Brian Ching received the ball outside the box and laid off to Brad Davis down the right channel. Davis used his right foot instead of his preferred left, but still managed a quality low cross to the near post and found Clark charging into the box. Clark's touch was slick, flicking the ball from the near post across the face of goal to the far post and beyond Bobby Shuttleworth, clanging off the post and into the goal.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Dynamo Halftime Update: Slick Conditions Contribute To 0-0 Deadlock

The New England Revolution had a couple of chances but conceded the majority of the possession to the Houston Dynamo as pouring rain contributed to an ugly half at BBVA Compass Stadium. Despite having less possession, the Revs actually had the better of the chances but were unable to capitalize.

It took almost twenty minutes for a clear chance to present itself on the rain-soaked pitch, torn up as it was by a recent football game. In the 18th minute, Jerry Bengtson earned a foul about 22 yards from goal. Benny Feilhaber stepped up to take the free kick and put it on frame in the near post top corner with an excellent shot, but Tally Hall was equal to it and punched over.

The ensuing corner became a snafu when the Dynamo clearance was crossed back in for Dimitry Imbongo at the far post. The striker's drilled cross found Darrius Barnes all alone in front of what was essentially an open net, but the defender's touch deserted him and he somehow sent it well wide of goal to be cleared.

Fernando Cardenas played in Imbongo in the 27th minute, but the French striker's effort from distance was saved well by Hall, though Imbongo had the right idea by hitting a low, skipping shot given the conditions. Houston's first clear chance came two minutes later when Calen Carr forced a save out of Bobby Shuttleworth with a low shot from just outside the box.

Just a minute after that, Imbongo rounded Hall to create a great chance for the Revolution, but he found himself dealing with a tight angle. By the time he chose to cross, the Dynamo defense had gotten back in time to clear the ball. Clyde Simms volleyed in after the clearance, but it was right at Hall and saved.

Bobby Shuttleworth nearly gifted the Dynamo the match's first goal in the 35th minute when his low clearance was intercepted by Ricardo Clark, but the midfield destroyer's shot flashed wide of the far post. Stephen McCarthy nearly snatched the leading goal in the 36th minute when he got up to head a free kick toward goal, but it flashed over the crossbar.

For more Revolution coverage, visit our team page and blog, The Bent Musket.

Revolution Vs. Dynamo Lineups: Feilhaber Starts, Fagundez Moves To The Bench

In light of a long and brutal injury report, New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps was forced into several changes ahead of his team's Saturday night match against the Houston Dynamo. Several changes were made in midfield and up top, while the back line was essentially set in stone due to squad absences.

Bobby Shuttleworth reprises his role in goal, prowling between the sticks behind the same back line that finished the match against New York. Kevin Alston again starts at left-back, while Darrius Barnes will get a chance to play a full ninety minutes at right-back. Defensive depth on the bench is nonexistent.

In midfield, United States World Cup veteran Benny Feilhaber finally makes his way back to the starting lineup after a long, long absence. He will pair up with Clyde Simms in the middle of the park after the former D.C. man won the fitness race after being listed as questionable with calf tightness.

Up front, Diego Fagundez makes way for Dimitry Imbongo. The move makes plenty of sense; Houston's defenders are big and they like to hit hard, and Imbongo should be much more able to handle the abuse.

Lineups

Revolution: Shuttleworth; Alston, Soares, McCarthy, Barnes; Cardenas, Feilhaber, Simms, Rowe; Bengtson, Imbongo

Bench: Reis, Roach, Gavin, Fagundez, Toja, Brettschneider, Purdie

Dynamo: Hall; Sarkodie, Taylor, Boswell, Ashe; Davis, Clark, Moffat, Garcia; Bruin, Carr

Bench: Deric, Ching, Weaver, Camargo, Creavalle, Kandji, Hainault

Revolution Vs. Dynamo: New England Makes First Trip To BBVA Compass Stadium To Face Houston

The New England Revolution have traveled down to Texas to take on the Houston Dynamo in their first ever visit to BBVA Compass Stadium. A rough spate of injuries has left the Revolution depleted as they try to spoil Houston's playoff hopes.