Dynamo denied in Montreal with last gasp equalizer
The Houston Dynamo needed a win on Wednesday night in Montreal to get back to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017. A draw and some help in other results could also have done the job. The Dynamo took matters into their own hands for most of the match until CF Montreal found an equalizer at the death to put the Houston celebrations on ice.
The night nearly got off to a disastrous start less than one minute in. Former Dynamo forward Romell Quioto got open in the box and stung a shot that Houston goalkeeper Steve Clark did well to get down to his left and save. Quioto had another chance in the 4th minute but wasn’t able to get any power behind is header as it was easily caught by Clark.
Houston would find their postseason clinching goal in the 10th minute. A Montreal turnover sent Aliyu Ibrahim down the right side where he picked out Sebastian Kowalczyk with a pass near the penalty spot. Kowalczyk laid the ball back to Artur and the Brazilian side footed his effort off the post and in past Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. The strike was Artur’s first goal in MLS play since December 6, 2020 when he scored in the Eastern Conference
Houston continued to push into the attack in the first half. Kowalczyk got onto the end of a ling ball in the 22nd minute but couldn’t get a shot away as he charged in on goal. The midfield duo of Artur and Luis Caicedo were able to keep Montreal’s attack at bay in the middle of the field and hold possession for the Dynamo, even in Hector Herrera’s absence. Houston took the 1-0 lead into the locker room at the half time whistle.
Seconds into the second half, the Dynamo had a chance to double their lead. Daniel Steres played a great ball over the top for Aliyu to run onto but he was unable to get a shot on target on the breakaway. Aliyu had to be replaced by Corey Baird after taking a knock in the 53rd minute.
The Dynamo piled on pressure with more chances that went begging. Quinones stung a free kick on goal in the 59th minute but Sirois got across goal to punch the shot away. In the 76th and 78th minute, the Houston attack couldn’t manage to even get their shot away. First it was Baird failing to pull the trigger, followed by Quinones.
Ben Olsen made late changes to try and see the game out, bringing on Amine Bassi, Franco Escobar, Brad Smith, and Ivan Franco. Montreal pushed for an equalizer in the final 10 minutes but the Dynamo defense stood tall, until the last moment.
A corner kick was cleared to the top of the box and Lassi Lappalainen tried to get a shot away. His effort was blocked but the ball bounced perfectly back to him and Lappalainen fired a volley past a hopeless Clark to tie the game at the death.
The equalizer was a cruel result for the Dynamo, who looked to have their playoff ticket punched. Montreal didn’t give up as they attacked relentlessly and found what could be described as a deserved goal. That match felt eerily similar to the result against the New York Red Bulls earlier this season. Houston can still clinch a playoff spot tonight if LAFC wins or draws at home against Minnesota United or if the Colorado Rapids can beat FC Dallas.
The Dynamo will return to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday to host the Colorado Rapids. Colorado currently sits at the bottom of the Western Conference and points in that match will be big for Houston to try and better their seeding for the postseason.
