San Jose 3 - 2 Houston

Alvarez, Weaver lead as Earthquakes edge Dynamo

Updated: October 13, 2009, 4:02 PM UK

SAN JOSE, California (AP) -- Arturo Alvarez and Cam Weaver each had a goal and an assist to help the San Jose Earthquakes rally to beat the Houston Dynamo 3-2 on Saturday night.

The Earthquakes (1-1-0), who were shut out despite dominating New England in their season opener, came alive with three goals in a wild 15-minute span to close the first half.

Weaver scored what ultimately would be the game-winner in the 44th minute. He tookDarren Huckerby's deft pass in the penalty area off a long shot by Chris Leitch, then lifted the ball over Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad for his first career MLS goal.

After being turned away early when Onstad came up with a reflex save on a blistered shot by Huckerby, the Earthquakes finally got on the board in the 30th minute. Ryan Johnson burst between two defenders and put a left-footed shot off the left post and into the net.

Three minutes after that, Alvarez cut in from the right wing and dribbled across the top of the penalty box before beating Onstad with a whipped shot to the near post.

However, Houston (0-1-1) struck back twice within three minutes to tie the score.

Dynamo forward Chris Wondolowski, starting due to the absences of Brian Ching (U.S. national team duty) and Kei Kamara (league suspension), sent home a header off Stuart Holden's cross in the 34th minute.

Less than 90 seconds later, Wondolowski corralled a deflection near the top of the box and fed it to Brad Davis, who ripped a left-footed shot past San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

Cannon swept away a softly arcing header from Brian Mullan in the 80th minute to stave off Houston's best chance at tying the score in the second half.

This was the third trip to the Bay Area without a victory for the Dynamo, who spent 10 years in San Jose before moving to Houston prior to the 2006 season. The Earthquakes posted a win and a tie at home against Houston as an expansion club last year.