FRISCO, Texas (CMC):

Jamaica-born forward Jeff Cunningham struck his fifth US Major League Soccer (MLS) goal in five days and spurred FC Dallas to a 1-0 victory over high-riding Houston Dynamo on Thursday.

Cunningham, who scored four goals last Saturday in a 6-0 win over the Kansas City Wizards, hit a wonderful strike in the 20th minute for struggling FC Dallas to grab maximum points against the Western Conference leaders.

The 32-year-old is the third most prolific scorer in MLS history with 113 goals. Only Jaime Moreno (128) and Ante Razov (114) have scored more.

Cunningham redeemed himself after failing to score an early penalty.

Brought down in the box in the 12th minute, Cunningham stepped up to take the spot kick himself but saw goalkeeper Pat Onstad make the save.

Cunningham went close with a header - just high - in the 16th minute and found the target four minutes later.

smashed a right-footer

After adeptly flicking the ball over Houston's Bobby Boswell just below the half-line, Cunningham dribbled toward goal and - approaching the box - shifted the ball away from a defensive challenge and smashed a right-footer into the roof of the net from 23 yards.