Will Bruin lead the charge Friday night, scoring a hat trick for the Houston Dynamo, leading them to a 4-1 victory over DC United. Cam Weaver added to Houston’s lead in the second half, giving Houston another goal, all three points, and the lead in the Eastern Conference.
Will Bruin gave Houston an early lead after slotting home a shot past DC goalkeeper Bill Hamid from the edge of the box. Bruin’s goal was the result of a textbook pass through the middle of DC’s defense from Geoff Cameron.
DC equalized in the 39th minute when Marc Burch’s grass-cutter effort slid into the corner of Tally Hall’s net. Burch’s goal came off of a free kick about 25 yards out of goal and was the result of a bit of trickery on the free kick.
DC’s lead was short-lived and Will Bruin returned the lead to Houston just two minutes later when he headed home a great ball from Brad Davis. The goal was Bruin’s second of the night and third of the season. The assist was Davis’ fifth of the season.
Will Bruin got his first professional hat trick in the 57th minute of the match when he headed home another Brad Davis cross from a free kick. Bruin’s hat trick was the first rookie hat trick in Houston Dynamo history.
Cam Weaver added another goal to Houston’s lead in the 62nd minute when Hunter Freeman took a quick throw-in as an opportunity to find Dynamo forward Cam Weaver, who was all alone in DC United’s half. Weaver then made a run at Bill Hamid before smashing a shot across the goal and into the back corner of the net.
Weaver was offside, but Freeman was quick to remember that there is no offside rule on throw-ins.
Late in the match, Dynamo captain Brian Ching entered the game, marking his first minutes since picking up a rib injury in a challenge during the New York Red Bulls match.
Newest Dynamo signing Sergio Koke made his Major League Soccer and Houston Dynamo debut in the 84th minute. Koke did not have any shots on goal, but was creative with his passing and footwork, giving the Dynamo fans a taste of what to expect in the future.
For Houston, this was a massive win. After going unbeaten in five games, including a number on the road, Houston’s win gives them six games in a row unbeaten and lands them in first place in the Eastern Conference. This is also a major game for Will Bruin and Cam Weaver, who should have silenced doubters who questioned if Houston could score goals from open play.
The Dynamo have a quick turn around this week, and will host 2010 MLS Champions, the Colorado Rapids, on Wednesday night in Houston.