HOUSTON DEFEATS NEW YORK 3-0 to win MLS CUP
in ea SPORTS FIFA SOCCER 08 videogame simulation
Houston Dynamo won its second straight MLS Cup with a 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., according to an EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer 08 videogame simulation of the MLS championship match using the Xbox 360.
Dynamo took a 2-0 lead early in the first half, then survived a wild comeback attempt by the Red Bulls to capture their second straight MLS title. Houston defeated New England Revolution 4-3 on penalty kicks in 2006 for their first championship.
Dwayne De Rosario (17th minute) and Nate Jaqua (30th minute) scored first-half goals for Houston but it was second-half substitute Joseph Ngwenya who lifted Dynamo to victory with the game-winning goal. Trailing 2-0, the Red Bulls came out in the second half pressing and were rewarded with a goal by Juan Pablo Angel in the 57th minute, his first of two in the game.
Ngwenya restored a two-goal lead for Dynamo in the 70th minute, against the run of play. Ngwenya gathered in the ball just outside the penalty area before striking a low shot to the far corner past New York goalkeeper Jon Conway. Angel got that one back 10 minutes later when he was pulled down in the area and New York was awarded a penalty kick. Angel scored on the ensuing PK, firing the ball into the top right corner of the net to cut the margin to one, setting the stage for a frantic final 10 minutes.
New York fired nine shots at the Houston goal forcing Pat Onstad to make five saves, several coming with time running out and the outcome in doubt.
Houston advanced to the Final with 2-0 and 1-0 wins over Chivas USA in the Western Conference Championship after opening their playoff run with a series win over Dallas.
New York, making its first Final appearance, advanced to the championship game after knocking off D.C. United in the Eastern Conference Championship, and New England in the opening round.
Last week, Electronic Arts announced that the award-winning Interactive Leagues online mode for FIFA Soccer 08 has been expanded to include the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs. The EA SPORTS Interactive Leagues enables you to represent your favorite club online against your heated rivals. You play your games online against anyone in the world according to the real MLS playoff schedule. When they play, you play – and worldwide bragging rights are up for grabs. Every game day you’re matched up with a supporter of your opposing team. Play as many times as you want online during the four day game window. Games start two days before the real-world game and end two days afterwards. To learn more go to www.FIFA08.ea.com.
2007 MLS CUP at RFK Stadium, Washington, DC
Teams Final Game Total Shots
Houston 3 7
New York 0 9
Scoring:
Houston – 3 – Dwayne De Rosario (’17), Nate Jaqua (‘30), Joseph Ngwenya (’70)
New York – 2 – Juan Pablo Angel (’57, ’80).
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Teams Game 1
@New York Game 2
@ DC United Total Score Total Shots
DC United 1 1 2 8
New York 3 0 3 15
Game 1:
DC United – 1 – Luciano Emilio (’25)
New York – 3 – Jozy Altidore (’44), Markus Schopp (’61), Juan Pablo Angel (’79)
Game 2:
DC United – 1 – Jaime Moreno (’54)
New York – 0
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Teams Game 1
@ Houston Game 2
@ Chivas USA Total Score Total Shots
Chivas USA 0 0 0 13
Houston 2 1 3 19
Game 1:
Chivas USA – 0
Houston – 2 – Nate Jaqua (’22), Chris Wondolowski (’60)
Game 2:
Chivas USA – 0
Houston – 1 – Brian Ching (’48)
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS
Teams Game 1
@ Chicago Game 2
@ DC United Total Score Total Shots
DC United 2 2 4 19
Chicago 3 0 3 15
Game 1:
DC United – 2 – Ben Olsen (’29, ’73)
Chicago – 3 – Paulo Wanchope (’54, ‘90), Chris Armas (’81)
Game 2:
DC United – 2 – Jaime Moreno (’9), Luciano Emilio (’34)
Chicago – 0
Teams Game 1
@ New York Game 2
@ New England Total Score Total Shots
New England 0 1 1 12
New York 4 0 4 13
Game 1:
New England – 0
New York – 4 – Dema Kovalenko (’39), Jozy Altidore (’43, ’60), Juan Pablo Angel (’53)
Game 2:
New England – 1 – Taylor Twellman (’67)
New York – 0
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS
Teams Game 1
@ Kansas City Game 2
@ Chivas USA Total Score Total Shots
Chivas USA 2 1 3 13
Kansas City 1 0 1 10
Game 1:
Chivas USA – 2 – John Cunliffe (’24), Mayke Galindo (’89)
Kansas City – 1 – Eloy Colombano (’90)
Game 2:
Chivas USA – 1 – Jonathan Bornstein (’44)
Kansas City – 0
Teams Game 1
@ Dallas Game 2
@ Houston Total Score Total Shots
Houston 2 3 5 9
Dallas 2 1 3 16
Game 1:
Houston – 2 – Joseph Ngwenya (’30), Dwayne De Rosario (’42)
Dallas – 2 – Carlos Ruiz (’53, ’70)
Game 2:
Houston – 3 – Dwayne De Rosario (’2), Patrick Ianni (’64), Joseph Ngwenya (’69)
Dallas – 1 – Carlos Ruiz (’72)