November 18th, 2012 
Matt Thacker The Houston Dynamo advanced to the MLS Cup final for a second consecutive year with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Sunday.
After losing 3-1 at Houston last week, D.C. entered the match needing to win by two goals to at least take the series into extra time. With the draw, Houston won the series 4-2 on aggregate.
The chances of D.C. making an improbable comeback took a serious blow in the 33rd minute. Houston’s Brad Davis dribbled to the end line right of the goal and then played the ball with the outside of his left foot to Boniek García in front of the net. The Honduran easily finished with a one-time shot.
D.C. United controlled almost two-thirds of the possession throughout the match but rarely looked threatening until late in the second half. They only managed six shots on goal to Houston’s four.
The home team got one back in the 83rd minute when Maicon Santos passed to Branko Boskovic, who dribbled through the Houston defense and slid the ball past goalkeeper Tally Hall just inside the near post.
United wasted several chances late in the match. Hamdi Salihi had two great opportunities, while Robbie Russell has an open chance in the box fly over the crossbar.
D.C. was without Chris Pontius, who left early in the first leg of the series with a groin injury. Dwayne De Rosario entered the match in the 62nd minute to make his first appearance since being injured in early September. While D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid returned following a red-card suspension, right back Andy Najar was still out due to a three-game suspension for throwing the ball at the referee earlier in the playoffs.
The Dynamo entered the match in fairly good health, but midfielder Ricardo Clark left the field with an apparent injury after 66 minutes.
The MLS Cup final will be held Dec. 1 at the winner of the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders. The Galaxy lead that series 3-0 after the first leg.
The Dynamo are in the Cup final for the fourth time in seven years. They defeated the New England Revolution in 2006 and 2007 and lost to the Galaxy last year.
