Sean Franklin, the rookie defender who has been so impressive for the Galaxy so far this term, was well and truly beaten by the Dynamo’s Brian Mullan on the opening goal by Houston about 10 minutes before half time.

Mullan beat Franklin by the touchline, then crossed the ball to Argentine Franco Caraccio who headed it down to Brian Ching. He whiffed on it, but the ball fell to Brad Davis who tucked it away.

Houston thoroughly deserved the lead having dominated possession and strung together the more impressive attacking opportunities in the opening half.

The Galaxy needed Josh Tudela to clear off the goal line to prevent a goal in the seventh minute, while Steve Cronin pushed a Davis free kick onto the bar in the 26th minute.

Galaxy attacks were largely restricted to a well-worked third minute move slickly begun by David Beckham and an Edson Buddle header that went wide in first half stoppage time.

The Dynamo ended the half with 10 shots to the Galaxy’s five.