Houston edges Montreal to strengthen playoff odds
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - The Houston Dynamo inched closer to a playoff spot on Saturday by claiming three points from a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Impact at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Houston's playoff push has now seen the club win three of its last four league games, putting the Dynamo within touching distance of the postseason picture with 31 points for the season.
Giles Barnes put Houston in front at the half-hour mark of Saturday's affair as he split the Montreal defense with a direct run before slotting a shot past Evan Bush.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Impact, however, answered five minutes before halftime when Felipe Martins played a ball to the top of the box for Dilly Duka, who curled a left-footed strike just inside the post.
Montreal managed to get in front in the 55th minute when Ignacio Piatti latched on to Marco Di Vaio's through ball and held off David Horst from behind before slipping a shot past the on-rushing Tyler Deric.
But Houston restored its lead by netting two goals in quick succession.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The equalizer came courtesy of Barnes in the 62nd as he redirected a low cross from Omar Cummings into the back of the net from the center of the box.
Ricardo Clark then popped up with the go-ahead goal three minutes later, evading the defense at the back post to turn in a Brad Davis corner kick.
The result sees Montreal remain rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference table with 20 points from 26 matches.