Dynamo continue flying form with 2-0 win over Columbus Crew
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo continued their run of good form, beating the Columbus Crew 2-0 Wednesday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston scored early and played great defense to hold onto the lead and secure a vital three points. Aliyu Ibrahim sealed the points in the 90th minute to cap off the evening.
Houston opened the scoring early again, a theme that has been prevalent of late. Griffen Dorsey played a perfectly weighted ball over the top to Corey Baird. Baird timed his run perfectly to stay onside and his first shot was saved by Patrick Schulte. The rebound fell kindly and Baird tapped it into the empty net to give Houston the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
The Dynamo had a good chance to double their lead in the 25th minute. Franco Escobar broke in behind but his shot was right at Schulte. The rebound ended up at the top of the box with Hector Herrera but his shot grazed the crossbar on the way over. Just minutes later, Nelson Quinones cut in on his right foot but pushed his shot wide. Houston would take their 1-0 lead to the half, dominating the match in almost all statistical categories.
Columbus brought on new Designated Player Diego Rossi at halftime to try and find a goal. The Crew pressed much harder in the second half, looking to pin the Dynamo into their own half. They pushed and pushed and pinned Houston in for the whole second half. As the 90th minute approached, the Dynamo finally got out of their own end with pace to seal the match.
Substitute Ibrahim Aliyu was played in over the top by Herrera and the Nigerian broke free. Schulte tracked back and then tried to close Aliyu down but he finished calmly with his left foot to finish the match off and give the Dynamo another huge three points.
Houston will return to action Saturday with a trip to California to take on the LA Galaxy. After that match, the team will have two weeks off for the FIFA international break.
