Dynamo out of Leagues Cup after disastrous minute of play
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo looked to be on their way to a meeting with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. An early goal gave the Dynamo the lead and with just ten minutes to play Houston looked on their way. Then disaster struck. Twice.
The Dynamo got out to another early lead at home, this time in the 10th minute. Griffin Dorsey, who once again got the start at right back, made a mazy run forward into space. Dorsey slid the ball through toward Nelson Quinones on the left. The Colombian kept the ball in play on the end line and then stood a brilliant cross up to the back post. Corey Baird was there, unmarked, and he volleyed into the back of the net to give the Dynamo the 1-0 lead early on.
Houston’s other good chance came after 26 minutes. Dorsey did well again to find space on the right and play in Amine Bassi. The Moroccan squared the ball to the top of the box and Coco Carrasquilla’s shot was delfected just wide of the post.
As the half came to an end, Charlotte began to find their footing and peppered the Dynamo goal. Brandt Bronico had a big chance in the 41st minute that he sailed over from close range. Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark couldn’t handle a ball in the air in the third minute of stoppage time but eventually Micael was able to get the ball to safety. Charlotte tried what seemed like corner kick after corner kick in the dying moments but couldn’t find a breakthrough. The teams went into the break with Houston up 1-0.
The Dynamo came out for the second half with a play straight off the training ground that nearly led to a goal. Carrasquilla ended up with the ball on the right but his pass across goal was cut out. It was then time for more of Clark’s heroics. The Dynamo goalkeeper got down well to block a Karol Swiderski shot in the 48th minute. Then in the 54th minute Clark made himself big to deny a point blank shot.
It doesn’t take a lot to go from hero to villain in a soccer match, especially when you’re a goalkeeper. Unfortunately for Clark, that’s what happened to him on this night. In the 80th minute, a long ball for Charlotte substitute Patrick Agyemang sent the striker in one on one. Agyemang shrugged off Erik Sviatchenko and for some reason Clark came well off his line, outside his box to challenge the ball. Ageymang pushed the ball away from Clark and then into the empty net to tie the game.
Just seconds later, Charlotte found their match winner, and found is the key word. Moments after the Dynamo kicked off, Micael had the ball with no pressure and decided to play the ball back to Clark. The ball bobbled toward goal, nowhere near Clark was standing, and painstakingly rolled into the empty net to put Charlotte up 2-1 in the 81st minute. Houston pushed late on but couldn’t find an equalizer and their Leagues Cup run would come to an end.
The Dynamo will return to league play on August 20 with a home match against the Portland Timbers. They will have some time off before that match, time to think about what could have been and a cup run that ended in calamity.
