Live: Houston Dynamo (3-3-5) at Galaxy (6-2-5) from Home Depot Center

Final: Galaxy 1 Houston Dynamo 0

Todd Dunivant just finished his 200th MLS game, the alleged crowd of 14,458 get a free Pollo Campero meal for the shutout and the Galaxy has win number seven to pocket another three points in an uneventful game.

The Galaxy retain their five-point lead over Dallas in the Western Conference despite the Texans winning 1-0 in Seattle from a Brek Shea goal.

More later, but not much. What’s to ask?

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Chris Birchall looked like a world-beater for about 20 seconds in the 85th minute, leaving three Houston defenders in his wake as he burst through the defense. Then he shot wide.

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Just under 20 minutes to go and this game appears to be petering out. The Galaxy are content with the one-goal lead; Houston look unlikely to get near the goal let alone score.

Miguel Lopez has come on for Chad Barrett in the 74th minute.

Mike Magee sent a left-footed shot whistling past a Houston post in the 75th minute.

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The always dangerous Mike Magee (ahem) has replaced the ever-dangerous Juan Pablo Angel (ahem ahem) in the 61st minute.

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There was one shot on target in the first half by either team – Donovan’s goal – and neither goalkeeper made a save.

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Landon Donovan scored his league-leading eighth goal in 10 games on the stroke of halftime, converting from the spot after Lovel Palmer was adjudged to have handled a Chris Birchall blast from about 23 yards out.

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The best chance of the game materialized in the 40th minute for the Galaxy, Dynamo defender Hunter Freeman clearing a low Chris Birchall cross two yards or so from the goal line, Landon Donovan lurking with intent behind him. Nothing came of the resultant corner.

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Referee Chris Penso has made two obvious errors already that have gone against the home team and this game is only just over 30 minutes old: The latest example – he gave the Dynamo a corner when no Galaxy player came anywhere near the ball. I’m told he’s officiated just three MLS games; at this rate it will be his last.

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Several largely hopeful crosses in this game with just over 20 minutes gone, but no clear cut chances for the Galaxy. And as I write that, Chad Barrett just had a shot blocked by Lovel Palmer that went out for the corner. That would have been on target, which would have been the Galaxy’s first.

Houston, like many visitors to the HDC do, is packing the defensive third with seven-eight players behind the ball. The Galaxy will have their work cut out to break them down.

Updated

We’re just over 15 minutes in and waiting for a soccer game to break out.

Updated

Trivia time. When was the last time the Galaxy played at home in their usual away blue kit?

It was 2007 when they played Real Salt Lake, a Galaxy PR type reminds me; that’s because RSL only brought their white kit to the game.

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Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena has made two changes from the side that beat Chivas USA 1-0 last weekend with Chris Birchall and Michael Stephens coming in for the absent David Beckham and Mike Magee dropping to the bench.

A Galaxy spokesman pointed out that it’s the same midfield as we saw in Philadelphia on a Wednesday when Beckham was rested and the personnel will have the same roles: Landon Donovan will play as a withdrawn striker behind Juan Pablo Angel and Chad Barrett with the trio of Juninho, Birchall and Stephens in midfield.

The Galaxy XI: Ricketts-Franklin, Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Dunivant-Donovan, Birchall, Juninho, Stephens-JPA, Barrett

Paolo Cardozo and Miguel are among the options off the bench.

The Dynamo, hoping to put a dent in the Galaxy’s record of one loss in their last 10 games, but winless on the road this season, start Spanish striker Koke up front in place of usual starter Cam Weaver, who is on the bench after being listed as questionable coming into the game with a sprained ankle.

Dynamo XI: Tally Hall-Hunter Freeman, Bobby Boswell, Andre Hainault, Corey Ashe-Brad Davis, Lovel Palmer, Geoff Cameron, Colin Clark-Will Bruin, Koke

The game is on Prime.

Refresh this post for updates throughout the game.

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