Anatomy of a goal: Kowalczyk blasts the Dynamo to three points

(image via Travis Gallipo)

The Houston Dynamo picked up their second road win of the MLS season, beating Minnesota United 2-1 on Saturday. The Dynamo got the winning goal after forcing a turnover and sending Sebastian Kowalczyk into space.

Today we’re breaking down Kowalczyk’s first career MLS goal. All the images we’re using are from the Apple TV broadcast and Major League Soccer’s YouTube highlight video.

The play begins with Minnesota’s Wil Trapp (circle) on the ball. Artur is a few yards in front of him, defending.

Artur steps to Trapp and challenges for the ball (circle). Amine Bassi sees Artur winning the ball and begins to break forward.

Artur wins the ball cleanly (circle), sending Trapp to the ground. Minnesota midfielder Hassani Dotson comes over to challenge Artur. Sebastian Kowalczyk (rectangle) checks back to the play.

Artur sends the ball forward to Bassi (circle) and he immediately looks forward to see Kowalczyk (rectangle) with space to run into.

Bassi (circle) waits long enough for Kowalczyk to get back on onside. Bassi plays the ball forward with Kowalczyk having loads of space to run into (arrow).

Kowalczyk (circle) drives forward with the ball, drawing two Minnesota defenders toward him.

Kowalczyk nutmegs Hugo Bacharach (circle) to open up space to drive right, with both Minnesota defenders now to his left.

Kowalczyk carries the ball into that space to right side of the D. He gets space for a shot (circle) just as Bacharach is retreating to close him down.

Kowalczyk picks out the far corner (circle), leaving Dayne St. Clair no chance of making the save.

The goal, and Steve Clark’s saves in stoppage time, helped secure another three points on the road for Houston. Kowalczyk is coming into his own in 2024 and proving how dangerous he can be both setting up and finishing on the offensive end.