Giles Barnes scored his fourth goal of the season and the Houston Dynamo topped Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Sunday.
Houston had the better of play most of the match and broke through in the 65th minute. From a goal kick, Barnes outran defender Tony Beltran down the left wing and squeezed his right-footed shot past Jeff Attinella and inside the far post.
The Dynamo's Erick Torres had a good chance in the 39th minute, but his header from close range following a pass from Damarcus Beasley sailed just high.
Barnes beat two defenders to a through ball in the 48th minute, but Attinella came out to make a sliding save near the top of the penalty box and Torres missed the follow-up high.