All hands on deck again as the shorthanded NY Red Bulls managed to gut out a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night.

The Red Bulls gained a tenuous lead seven minutes in as Kenny Cooper scored an ugly goal chasing down a Cory Ashe back pass, which Houston Goalkeeper Tally Hall cleared into the big striker, causing the ball to bounce into the back of the net.

From then on, Houston looked the more likely to score, particularly down the final stretch of the game. Brad Davis will be kicking himself after missing three golden opportunities to level the score, but ultimately, Houston couldn't find the final ball. This is the Red Bulls' third straight 1-0 victory and their second straight with without injured Thierry Henry.

Player Ratings

GK Ryan Meara

Another solid performance from the rookie keeper, which was capped off by an impressive 93rd-minute save to seal the Red Bulls win. He did show a lack of concentration, failing to catch a 57th-minute cross, but fortunately, the Dynamo were unable to pounce on the mistake.

Player Rating: 6.5

RB Brandon Barklage

Played another solid game. Defended the back post brilliantly clearing away cross after cross. Found Juan Agudelo with a great cross late in the game that almost turned into a spectacular goal.

Player Rating: 7

CB Markus Holgersson

Seems to have shaken the yips that lead to a number of mistakes earlier in the year; was solid throughout the game.

Player Rating: 6.5

CB Tyler Ruthven

Gave away the ball too easily in the 15th minute, and his poor clearance late in the second half almost lead to Dynamo equalizers, but outside of those two moments, was confident and effective on the back line.

Player Rating: 6

LB Connor Lade

His solid performances have allowed him to maintain his spot despite Roy Miller's return. Nothing changed in this game, as he defended well and offered some good service into the box going forward. 

Player Rating: 7

DM Dax McCarty

Had a solid game as he continued his fine run of form. Did brilliantly defending the back line again, even managed to launch a vicious strike from long range that missed just a bit wide and found Juan Agudelo in the box, which was just cleared by the Dynamo back line. His rating would have been higher, except for a few erratic passes that gave the Dynamo the ball in the Red Bulls' half.

Player Rating: 7

RM Dane Richards

Was an outlet for the Red Bulls helping to relieve pressure as the Dynamo pushed forward for the equalizing goal. Had a few dangerous moments, but still lacks ideas when taking an opposing player on in front of goal.

Player Rating: 6.5

CM Medhi Ballouchi (Off 45')

Outside of the pass that set up Kenny Cooper's strange seventh-minute goal, he was almost completely anonymous. Didn't defend great and didn't help win the battle of the midfield. Was mercifully substituted on halftime.

Player Rating: 5

CM Joel Lindpierre

Didn't really put his mark on the game. Won the ball a few times, but was a big reason the Red Bulls couldn't maintain possession in the Houston side of the field.

Player Rating: 5.5

LM Jan Gunnar Solli (Off 87')

Looked tired and didn't really add much to the game.

Player Rating: 5.5

ST Kenny Cooper (Off 90+1')

Put in the hard work and deserved his goal just based upon effort alone, as he chased down a Cory Ashe back pass and forcing the ball into the back of the net. Was mostly cut off throughout the first half, but dropped deeper when Juan Agudelo came on and was able to help move the ball through the midfield in the second.

Player Rating: 6

Substitutes

ST Juan Agudelo (On 45')

Freshened up the Red Bulls attack and put pressure on the Dynamo defense. Had two shots on goal saved brilliantly by Tally Hall, almost found the end of a Dax McCarty chip and almost connected with Kenny Cooper on another chip into the box.

Player Rating: 7

LM Roy Miller (Off 87')

Came on late, almost found another goal very similar to Kenny Cooper's seventh-minute strike. Didn't have a lot of time to make an impression.

Player Rating: INC

ST Jhonny Arteaga

Came on late for Kenny Cooper; didn't have time to make an impression.

Player Rating: INC

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