Dynamo squander two goal lead in draw with Seattle Sounders
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo looked to have a rare win over the Seattle Sounders in their sights Wednesday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Seattle had won 12 of the last 13 meetindgs between the two teams but Houston took a 2-0 half time lead. Seattle stormed back to score two of their own and give the Dynamo their third straight game that ended 2-2.
Houston came out in the first half with a dominating performance. Latif Blessing led the way for the Dynamo as they pinned Seattle in their own half and kept hold of the majority of possession. The breakthrough came in the 30th minute to open the scoring.
Amine Bassi wiggled free in the box after a giveaway from Seattle. He dinked a ball on goal and Blessing ran onto it and got his body onto it to push it over the line and give Houston a 1-0 lead.
Blessing doubled his and the Dynamo’s tally in the 40th minute. Another Seattle giveaway at midfield allowed Bassi to spring Aliyu Ibrahim into space on the left side. The Nigerian winger drove all the way to the box and chipped the ball centrally. Blessing rose to head into the gaping goal and give Houston a 2-0 lead.
As well as the first half went for the Dynamo, the second half was opposite. Stefan Frei knocked a ball away from Blessing potentially getting his hat trick and moments later Seattle got back into the game.
Paul Rothrock, who scored the winner for the Sounders at Shell Energy Stadium last season, beat Micael to a loose ball. Rothrock got in on goal and had his first shot stopped by Steve Clark. He followed it up and buried the rebound to make the game 2-1 in the 57th minute.
Seattle drew level in the 63rd minute off a set piece. A long ball into the box from the right flew to the back post. Defender Jackson Ragen got off the ground to volley the ball with the outside of his foot past Clark to even things up at 2-2.
With the game at 2-2, both teams looked like they could find a third goal and win the game. Unfortunately for both sides, no one really came close. The Dynamo’s best chance came in the 75th minute when Bassi’s shot was saved by Frei and the rebound from Kowalczyk was directed right back to the Seattle goalkeeper.
The result is the third straight game that ended 2-2 for the Dynamo, and this one is extremely disappointing. Losing a two goal lead at home should never happen, especially against a Sounders team not at full strength.
The Dynamo have to rebound quickly as they go out on the road again. They’ll take on D.C. United on Saturday as Ben Olsen returns to the place where he played and coached for most of his career.
