Anatomy of a goal: Bassi at the double

Amine Bassi became the first player in Major League Soccer to score a penalty kick in four straight matches. It was Bassi’s second goal in Saturday’s 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy, his first from open-play, that sealed the win at Shell Energy Stadium

Today we’re breaking down the setup and the movement that led to Bassi’s goal. All the images we’re using are from the Apple TV broadcast and Major League Soccer’s YouTube highlight video.

We pick the play up in the 73rd minute with the Dynamo leading 2-0 and a man up after Galaxy defender Martin Caceres was sent off. Galaxy forward Javier Hernandez has come very deep to get the ball and he is surrounded by three Dynamo players (circled).

Corey Baird steals the ball from Chicharito and Hector Herrera is there to gain possession (circled).

Herrera (circled) immediately looks up as Baird begins to run into space behind the Galaxy defense. We can see LA defender Jalen Neal with his arms raised, a sign of what was to come.

Herrera’s pass finds Baird (left circle) and the Dynamo forward gets his head up to look for runners. Thor Ulfarsson, Herrera, Coco Carrasquilla, and Bassi all get into the attack.

Baird gets onto the ball (left circle) and has tons of space with no LA defender anywhere near him. Ulfarsson and Carrasquilla (with his hand up) have arrived at the top of the box while Herrera smartly makes a run between them outside of the eighteen.

Baird turns toward goal (left circle) to find himself still with space to work. The three runners are well positioned in the box now with both Carrasquilla and Herrera calling for the ball.

Baird drives into the box (left circle) to finally draw an LA defender and now the first three Dynamo runners are in a line across the penalty spot. A new player has joined the play as Bassi is now calling for the ball at the top of the box (right circle).