Dynamo go to LA and do the double over the defending champions
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo traveled to Los Angeles for the second meeting with LAFC in five days time. Houston beat LAFC 4-0 on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium and the two teams got together again on Wednesday for a match that was rescheduled because of the Black & Gold’s Champions League run. LAFC hadn’t lost a home match in league play since last October. Houston hadn’t won a league match on the road in league play since last season. All things must come to an end and both of those streaks did, with the Dynamo picking up a huge 1-0 win.
Wednesday’s match got off to a plodding start with neither team really getting any chances in the first 15 minutes. LAFC thought they had taken a lead after 21 minutes when Mateusz Bogusz chipped Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark on a breakaway. However, the flag went up for offside and the game remained scoreless.
Just two minutes later it was the Dynamo that found the breakthrough. Houston’s deep free kick from the right side made its way into the box and defender Erik Sviatchenko got a touch to help direct the ball to the back post, off a couple of bodies. The ball found its way to defender Micael and he smashed a left-footed shot into the roof of the net to give the Dynamo the lead. It was the first MLS goal for the Brazilian and a big goal for the away side to jump in front.
The Dynamo thought they had doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime. Amine Bassi was played in on a counter and he slipped a pass to Aliyu Ibrahim. The Nigerian drove into the box and finished at the back post but the offside flag was up. It looked to be a very close call and one the VAR must have had a good angle on to make a call on fairly quickly. Houston would take the 1-0 lead into the break, with some confidence.
Houston came out of the locker room and did well controlling the game in the second half. LAFC were on the ball, for the most part, but that’s not something the Dynamo mind. As the game entered the final 20 minutes, the Dynamo began to stretch the field a little more, perhaps taking advantage of LAFC’s tired legs. Hector Herrera took two shots in a three minute span, one a volley that sailed over and the other a stinging shot that LAFC keeper John McCarthy palmed away for a corner.
LAFC were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Kwadwo Opoku was shown a straight red card. The young attacker lost control of the ball at the top of the box and dove two-footed into Dynamo midfielder Artur, leaving referee Guido Gonzalez no choice but to reach for his back pocket. Artur was lucky to get up uninjured as those are the kind of tackles that can seriously injure a player.
The Dynamo were able to see out the match, a testament to the rock solid defense they have in place. LAFC never really threatened, even throwing everything forward at the end of the match. Beating a team like LAFC twice in five days is massive for any club, especially this Houston team, a team looking to redefine itself and find a new identitiy. Consider this week a huge step in that direction.
The Dynamo will return home next Wednesday, after a weekend off, to host the San Jose Earthquakes.
