Dynamo advance to third consecutive Conference final

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HARRISON, N.J. – Three days after scoring the goal that salvaged the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals for the Dynamo, Omar Cummings came off the bench again Wednesday night to bury the New York Red Bulls.

Cummings' goal in the 104th minute pushed the Dynamo past the top-seeded Red Bulls in overtime to clinch a berth in their third consecutive Eastern Conference final.

After going scoreless in the regular season while dealing with multiple knee, groin and hamstring injuries, Cummings has lived up to the Dynamo's history of rising to the occasion when it matters most.

The Dynamo came from behind Wednesday to win 2-1, taking the home-and-away series by an aggregate score of 4-3.

"I would say that even before I got here, one thing I would notice about the team is that they find a way to win," Cummings said. "They find a way to get back into games.

"Even when it's not pretty and even when you're not playing well you find out what it takes to get back in those games. When it comes down to the dying moments until the referee blows that whistle, never give up on the Dynamo. Ever."

Houston Dynamo forward Omar Cummings (7) celebrates with teammate midfielder Andrew Driver (20) after Cummings scored a goal against the New York Red Bulls in overtime during an MLS soccer playoff game Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) less Houston Dynamo forward Omar Cummings (7) celebrates with teammate midfielder Andrew Driver (20) after Cummings scored a goal against the New York Red Bulls in overtime during an MLS soccer playoff game ... more Photo: Julio Cortez, Associated Press Photo: Julio Cortez, Associated Press Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Dynamo advance to third consecutive Conference final 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

For the third consecutive year, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions knocked off the division's top seed. This time the fourth-seeded Dynamo stunned a crowd of 22,264 at Red Bull Arena.

After tying the first leg 2-2 Sunday afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium, the teams finished the first 90 minutes of the second leg tied at 1, forcing two 15-minute overtime periods.

Both of Cummings' goals in the Eastern Conference semifinals were scored late. He scored the tying goal Sunday in the 92nd minute.

"Huge goal on Sunday and huge goal tonight," Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We brought him in here for a reason. ... I'm just happy he was there."

Right back Kofi Sarkodie set up the winning goal by beating the Red Bulls down the right wing after receiving a pass from Boniek Garcia. He sent a perfect cross to Cam Weaver at the far post. Weaver then headed the ball back across the mouth of the goal. Cummings then put the ball into the right corner, barely pushing it an inch or two across the goal line.

Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles made a valiant effort to save the shot, but he didn't get to the ball before it crossed the line.

"I'm like, 'Please just go over the line,'" Cummings said. "I wasn't sure if he stopped it. I was looking around to the referee and to the linesman to see if it went across the line. When he pointed to the spot, I was happy."

The Dynamo will host the first leg of the Eastern Conference championship on Saturday afternoon at BBVA Compass Stadium against second-seeded Sporting Kansas City.

The Red Bulls took the lead in the 24th minute after goalkeeper Tally Hall spilled Lloyd Sam's seemingly harmless cross just inside the six-yard box. Bradley Wright-Phillips took advantage of the gift and redirected the rebound into the back of the net to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead.

"I have to come out," Hall said. "I have to be aggressive. I have to beat the other players to the ball, and it was poorly executed. Instead of kind of absorbing the ball I think I went out for it a little bit too much.

"I almost slapped the ball, so when it hit the ball it squirted away from me. The team was obviously punished for a mistake by me, but you don't really have a choice on the team. You have to move on. The team picked me up."

The Red Bulls returned the favor with their own blunder. Under pressure from Dynamo forward Will Bruin, defender Ibrahim Sekagya attempted to clear the ball. His pass went straight to Brad Davis just outside the 18-yard box in the 36th minute. Davis took care of the rest with a clinical finish into the left corner of the net to tie the score at 1.

"The guy looked up, and I knew he was going to try to play across," Davis said. "I just tried to slide into the hole and cut it off if he didn't play it over my head. Luckily, he mishit it and I cut it off. I looked up, and it was just me and the goalie. I was able to slot it in."

Cummings finally put the Dynamo ahead in the 104th minute, and the Dynamo defense held firm to seal the victory.

"It's nothing new," Weaver said of the late heroics. "I'm not surprised by it. We've done it before. It's tough to keep doing it, but it just shows the character of the guys."