Dynamo pick up one point after losing penalty shootout to Orlando
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo traveled to central Florida to kick off Leagues Cup play with a match up against Orlando City. The Dynamo got a gift for their goal and then gifted one back to Orlando. With the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, the teams would go to the penalty spot to determine who took home an extra point. The home side ended up grabbing that point after converting all five of their kicks.
Ben Olsen rotated some players in the starting lineup, most notably with Andrew Tarbell getting the start in goal and both Hector Herrera and a returning Coco Carrasquilla on the bench. Orlando started a first choice lineup with their star playmakers Martin Ojeda and Facundo Torres along with rookie striker Duncan McGuire.
The two teams traded some half chances in the opening 45 minutes but nothing of real danger came about. As the game approached first half stoppage time, Nelson Quinones had to come off injured, replaced by Thor Ulfarsson. Then, as the game looked destined for half time, Griffin Dorsey went down in the box in what can only be described as a fall and the Dynamo were given a penalty kick. Amine Bassi stayed perfect from the spot in 2023 to give Houston a 1-0 lead at the break.
The teams came out for the second half and the Dynamo’s lead was gone before even a minute was played. Tarbell tried to play out of the back too casually and put the ball right into the feet of McGuire. The Orlando striker only had to tap into the empty net and the game was tied 1-1 in the 46th minute.
Olsen introduced both Carrasquilla and Herrera after 60 minutes and the midfielders nearly made an instant impact. Some nifty play at the top of the box from the two got Coco free for a shot but it was blocked by an Orlando defender before it could find its way to goal.
Orlando had chances of their own to break the deadlock. Torres unleashed a shot from a good chance but the Dynamo defense got in front of it to block it away for a corner in the 70th minute. Substitue Ercan Kara got in behind in the 76th minute but put his shot into the side netting.
With the teams still tied at one after 90 minutes, the match went to a penalty shootout. Both teams earned one point and the winner of the shootout would take home one extra. Herrera stepped up first for Houston and had his shot saved by Pedro Gallese. Every other penalty taker on each team would make, with Facundo Torres scoring Orlando’s fifth to win the shootout 5-4.
The Dynamo will return to Shell Energy Stadium on Tuesday for a match against Santos Laguna of LigaMX. A win in that match should put Houston into the next round, if Orlando can also beat Santos in their home stadium. *
