Dynamo settle for draw after late Ferreira equalizer
(image via Omar Duran)
The Houston Dynamo returned to Shell Energy Stadium after Hurricane Beryl postponed last weekend’s match. Houston took on Minnesota United on 713 night, a celebration of all things Houston.
Before things could get underway, the match went into a weather delay, as the teams were lining up for the national anthem. Both teams returned after a 48 minute delay and the game got underway.
Minnesota looked to strike first just four minutes in. Joseph Rosales took a crack that Steve Clark parried away. The ball stayed in the box and Bongokuhle Hlongwane shot off the outside of the post.
The Dynamo had two shouts for penalties when Amine Bassi went down in the 2nd and 28th minute. Both plays were looked at briefly but the referee did not give a penalty in either instance.
Houston’s best chance in the half came in the 32nd minute when a couple of shots were dealt with by Minnesota goalkeeper Alec Smir before the danger was eventually cleared. Both teams went to the half tied 0-0.
Aliyu Ibrahim nearly gave Houston the lead in the 51st minute but failed to get a shot off. The Nigerian was played in on goal and instead of shooting, tried to dribble around Smir. He couldn’t control the ball and it rolled out for a goal kick as he crashed into Smir. Referee Jon Freemon had another quick check with VAR but again, no penalty was awarded.
Minnesota broke the deadlock in the 70th minute with their All Star Robin Lod stepping up. A corner into the box was cleared by Houston but only just outside the box. Minnesota sent the ball back to the left to Joseph Rosales to whip back in. His low cross to the near post was met by Lod and the Finnish international did enough to put it on goal and past Clark to give the away side a 1-0 lead.
Houston pushed forward, led by their DP striker Sebas Ferreira. The Paraguayan whistled a bicycle kick wide in the 78th minute, signaling what was to come. Just a minute later, Erik Sviatchenko sent a ball all the way across field to Amine Bassi to tap into goal but the offside flag went up, leaving the Dynamo still chasing an equalizer.
They’d find their equalizer in the 82nd minute through Ferreira. A corner from the left side was swung in and no Minnesota defenders dealt with it. The ball bounced to Ferreira at the back post and he made no mistake, thundering his left foot through it to tie the game at 1-1.
Houston tried for a winner late but couldn’t convert. Ferreira had the best look, with a shot deflected wide in stoppage time. The full time whistle blew and the Dynamo had to settle for a disappointing point at home.
The Dynamo will now head to the west coast for a match on Wednesday and Saturday. Wednesday, the Dynamo will take on the San Jose Earthquakes and Saturday is a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
