Dynamo bangers subdue resilient Revolution
(image via Ricky Vega)
The Houston Dynamo welcomed an old rival from the early days of the club, the New England Revolution, for a midweek clash at Shell Energy Stadium. A quiet first half burst to life in the second 45 minutes, leading to a big result for Houston.
Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark was called into action early in the game. After Franco Escobar blocked a Bobby Wood shot in the 5th minute, Clark made a huge save from point blank range on the forward in the 10th. Daniel Steres, who replaced the suspended Griffin Dorsey, picked up a very early yellow card in the first ten minutes, leaving the Dynamo fullback to play cautiously for more than 80 minutes.
New England had another big opportunity in the 13th minute when midfielder Alhassan Yusuf had a shot blocked and then fired the rebound wide. Houston’s best chance came in the 24th minute when Sebastian Kowalczyk forced a big save out of Revolution goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic. The smoke cannon behind the goal briefly fired off but the game remained 0-0.
Ezequiel Ponce replaced Amine Bassi to start the second half and the DP striker immediately made his mark on the game. After forcing a magnificent save out of Ivacic in the 48th minute, the Argentine created a piece of magic to open the scoring.
Coco Carrasquilla played a ball forward to Ponce, in the 50th minute, about 30 yards from goal. The New England defense didn’t close Ponce down and he decided to try a shot. His rocket tucked into the side netting past a diving Ivacic to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead.
The Revolution hit back almost immediately for an equalizer. Luca Langoni wiggled free into the Dynamo box and was fouled by Artur. Referee Fotis Bazakos immediately pointed to the spot to award New England a penalty kick. Revs captain Carles Gil stepped to the spot and put the ball into the top corner to tie the score 1-1 after 54 minutes.
Houston pushed to regain the lead and the go-ahead goal came from an unlikely source. Carrasquilla chipped a free kick into the box in the 68th minute to an unmarked Erik Sviatchenko. The center back took the ball down with his chest and then wrapped his right foot through the ball, leaving Ivacic rooted and giving the Dynamo a 2-1 lead. It was Sviatchenko’s first MLS goal, and it came in a huge moment for Houston.
A third goal seemed on the cards for Houston, but it never came. Luckily for the Dynamo, they ended up not needing it. Clark made a huge save on Giacomo Vrioni in stoppage time to preserve the lead and Houston collected all three points as the full time whistle sounded.
The win temporarily moves the Dynamo to 5th in the Western Conference with other games still being played on Wednesday evening. Houston will head back out on the road for a quick turnaround as they visit St. Louis.
