Houston Dynamo earned a crucial 1-0 home win over Philadelphia Union in their MLS Eastern Conference clash, thanks to a strike from Ricardo Clark.

Dynamo started off strongly and could have been ahead in the fifth minute but Andrew Driver skied his effort over the bar after being put through on goal.

Minutes later Omar Cummings did well to beat two challenges in the penalty after chasing down a long ball, but his effort was beaten away by Union keeper Zac MacMath.

Cummings almost turned provider for Driver in the 32nd minute as he took a quick free kick and set the midfielder free into the box, but he could only poke his effort wide of the target.

After the break, Clark somehow missed the opportunity to give his side the lead when he headed over from two yards out after Warren Creavalle and Eric Brunner combined to tee him up.

However, Clark made up for his miss when he opened the scoring as he headed in from close range at the near post past MacMath from Jermaine Taylor's left-wing cross to seal the win for his side.