Dynamo denied by Red Bulls in rare home loss
(image via Billy Mears)
The Houston Dynamo returned to league play tonight at Shell Energy Stadium with the New York Red Bulls as the opposition. New York came in and played their style of game to perfection, campitalizing on a second half Dynamo turnover to gie Houston a rare loss at home.
Before kickoff, the Dynamo honored journalist Maggie McKethan who tragically passed away this week. The club held a moment of silence and the starting eleven held up a jersey with her name on it.
Houston got the scoring early after just seven minutes. Coco Carrasquilla pinged another trademark ball across field and hit Aliyu Ibrahim in stride. The Nigerian got behind the defense and calmly finished the one-on-one to give the Dynamo the 1-0 lead.
The rest of the first half seemed to be going quietly, as the Dynamo would be fine with holding a 1-0 lead. The Dynamo couldn’t quite make it to the half as New York found the equalizer in the 43rd minute. Emil Forsberg worked the ball to the right side for Dante Vanzeir who sent a ball back across the box. Elias Manoel rose to the ball first and headed by Steve Clark to make the score 1-1.
The score remained tied 1-1 at the half and the Dynamo made two changes to begin the second half. Jan Gregus and Franco Escobar came on for Brooklyn Raines and Tate Schmitt. The Dynamo looked to take control of the game but it was New York who found the winner.
What seemed to be a routine throw-in on the left side by Franco Escobar went to the feet of Artur. The Brazilian midfielder had all kinds of time but played a pass across field right to Red Bull winger Lewis Morgan. The Scotsman drove forward all alone and smashed a shot into the top of the net to give New York a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute.
Sebastian Kowalczyk rung the post just minutes after the Red Bulls scored their second goal. Houston pushed for an equalizer, bringing Brad Smith and Amine Bassi and moving Aliyu to center forward. The Dynamo threw the kitchen sink forward in the last few minutes, desperate to find the equalizer. Griffin Dorsey headed a ball from Bassi on goal but Carlos Coronel leaped to keep it out. Carrasquila curled a shot from outside that struck the outside of the post and that was the last chance Houston would get.
It was a rare loss for the Dynamo at home, falling 2-1. The team has to rebound quickly as regining MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew come to town on Wednesday for Champions Cup play.
