Dynamo dominate LAFC in statement win
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo returned home from a three-match road trip to welcome LAFC to Shell Energy Stadium. Nelson Quiñónes grabbed his first league goal and scored for the second straight game after scoring in Tuesday’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup win.
The Dynamo took the lead after just eleven minutes. Coco Carrasquilla won the ball in midfield and sprayed a pass with the outside of his foot on the right side to Nelson Quiñónes. The Colombian drove into the box and cut onto his right foot. His shot curled to the far post out of the diving reach of LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy and into the back of the net to give the Dynamo a 1-0 lead.
LAFC had some decent chances late in the half, looking to get a goal back. Steve Clark got up to save a Diego Palacios attemp in the 43rd minute. Daniel Steres, who came on for an injured Chase Gasper after 24 minutes, tracked back to take the foot of Jose Cifuentes before he could get a shot off in the box. Houston would take their 1-0 lead into halftime.
Houston doubled their lead just minutes into the second half and it was Quiñónes once again at the center of things. The Colombian once again cut inside from the left to shoot with his right foot and LAFC defender Ryan Hollilngshead clipped him and brought him down in the box. Referee Alex Chilowicz immediately pointed to the spot and awared the Dynamo a penalty in the 49th minute. Amine Bassi stepped to the spot and as he has done all season, converted the penalty. It was Bassi’s sixth penalty in six attempts in all competitions.
Corey Baird came on for Quiñónes in the 62nd minute and he’d score the dagger for the Dynamo on this night minutes later. In the 69th minute, Baird won the ball off a turnover at the top of the box. He beat a couple of defenders on the dribble to free up space and slotted past McCarthy to make the game 3-0.
Franco Escobar would cap off the night with a truly stunning goal against his former club. The right back got forward and the ball bounced perfectly onto his right foot. The Argentine unleased a volley from 25 yards out that struck the crossbar and went down over the goal line.
The Dynamo did well, once again, defensively to see out the match and take the three points with a 4-0 win. The coaching staff led by Brendan Burke, subbing in for the suspended Ben Olsen, have to be given a lot of credit for this result. They neutralized a very dangerous LAFC team and were able to find some weaknesses to exploit on the offensive end.
Hell in the Shell remains a fortress and it has never been as evident as it was tonight. The fans were in full voice for all 90 minutes against the defending league champions. LAFC played in the Champions League final and the Dynamo absolutely outplayed them from opening whistle.
These two teams will meet again in just four days when the Dynamo travel to LA. The game was rescheduled from earlier in the season because of LAFC’s run in the Concacaf Champions League. Franco Escobar will be suspended for the match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season and Coco Carrasquilla will be away with Panama for the Nations League. Wednesday’s match is set for 9:30 in Los Angeles.
