Dynamo earn point in scoreless draw with LA Galaxy

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

The Houston Dynamo traveled to Southern California for a meeting with the LA Galaxy Saturday night. Head coach Ben Olsen made some changes to the lineup, notably Andrew Tarbell starting at goalkeeper and Steve Clark not on the team sheet. There wasn’t a lot in the match, each team had a couple decent chances, but the game would end in a 0-0 draw.

Both teams traded attacks in the first half with not a lot to come of it. The best chance came for Houston just before the break. Corey Baird got in behind the defense but his shot was denied by Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond at close range. The teams went into the locker rooms tied 0-0 with just one shot on goal, Baird’s effort, between the Dynamo and Galaxy.

Houston looked like the team more likely to score in the second half. They had numerous opportunities around and in the box but couldn’t get any clean shots off. Tarbell did have to make two big saves in the 75th minute to keep the Galaxy off the score sheet. Just a minute later Bond dove to parry away a Hector Herrera effort.

In the 79th minute, ALiyu Ibrahim had the best chance of the night. The Dynamo broke with Herrera spinning out of his own box and breaking the other way. Aliyu got on the end of a cross from close range but couldn’t get a clean look and missed the net. Fotmob had the chance at 0.66 xG, meaning that opportunity is converted two-thirds of the time.

The Dynamo will take a point and a clean sheet on the road. They looked the team more likely to win this match but just could not find the break through. Houston will now have a two-week break for the FIFA international window. Herrera and Coco Carrasquilla will be away with their national teams. The Dynamo will return to league play on September 16 when St. Louis CITY SC