De Rosario header gives Houston repeat MLS Cup
(Soccer365.com) Second half goals from Joseph Ngwenya and Dwayne De Rosario rallied Houston for a 2-1 MLS Cup victory over New England in Washington D.C. on Sunday afternoon.
The Revolution began more brightly than the holders and had the opening salvo in the 20th minute.
Steve Ralston got loose on the right and picked out Taylor Twellman for a header that left Dynamo keeper Pat Onstad stationary as it fell into the net.
Twellman could have extended the lead in the 33rd minute, but his soft roller from Khano Smith's cutback was smothered easily by Onstad.
Before the break, the teams swapped good chances from headers; Pat Noonan narrowly missed at one end, then Ngwenya spurned a good opportunity at the other.
Noonan was stopped on an early second half breakaway and then went close on a rasping drive before the the momentum swung towards Houston.
Just past the hour, the Dynamo drew level when the New England backline allowed De Rosario's soft cross through to Ngwenya, who buried it on the second swing after originally whiffing.
In the 74th minute, De Rosario nodded home the winner from a Brad Davis cross and New England were unable to recover for a late equalizer.
The Revs' Jeff Larentowicz had a golden chance on a firm corner kick header, but Onstad was on the spot to cover the late effort.
The victory makes Houston only the second team to claim back-to-back MLS Cup titles, joining D.C. United.
