Shorthanded Quakes fall to Houston

Alex scored in the 77th minute and the host Houston Dynamo outlasted the shorthanded San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Saturday night.

With San Jose playing down a man after Fatai Alashe picked up his second yellow card, Oscar Garcia led Sheanon Williams in stride down the right wing. Williams’ service to the penalty spot reached Alex, who tapped the ball in for the tiebreaker for Houston (8-8-7).

The Earthquakes (7-10-5) had evened the score in the 70th minute. After a foiled corner, Cordell Cato lofted a pass to Shaun Francis in the left side of the box. Francis’ header went over goalkeeper Joe Willis, and Quincy Amarikwa chested the ball into the goal.