Bassi and Herrera lead Dynamo to 2-0 win over Austin in 2023 home opener
(image via Houston Dynamo FC/Twitter)
The Houston Dynamo opened a new-look Shell Energy Stadium but the results on the field still resembled those of old.
Both teams went back and forth in the first half with a few chances on each end. Emiliano Rigoni had a couple of chances for Austin early on but both ended up tamely in goalkeeper Steve Clark’s hands. Clark took a knock after colliding with Leo Vaisanen but ended up staying in the match. Austin’s best chance of the half came off the head of fullback Jon Gallagher. The right back stayed forward for stretches of the match and after 35 minutes had a header from just yards out saved by Clark.
The Dynamo ended the half with some chances of their own. Hector Herrera’s free kick in the 42nd minute was struck well but Austin keeper Brad Stuver was able to punch the ball over the bar. Amine Bassi, making his first start in Major League Soccer, got free on the edge of the box in the 44th minute. His curling shot took a deflection and ended up in Stuver’s arms. The teams went into the half scoreless with Austin leading the expected goals stat 0.54 to 0.38 according to Fotmob.
Houston began the second half trying to find the front foot again and take hold of the match. When Austin brought on former Dynamo left back Adam Lundkvist in the 65th minute, the game took that big turn. A corner in the box in the 67th minute found the head of Ethan Bartlow. His header deflected off Lundkvist and out for a corner. Dynamo players immediately appealed for a handball but nothing was given. The ball went out of play soon after and referee Drew Fischer was called to the monitor for a VAR check. Fischer pointed to the spot after seeing the play on the monitor and the Dynamo were given a penalty kick. Bassi stepped to the spot, his shot was deflected by Stuver, but still found the back of the net for the Moroccan’s first goal in Major League Soccer, and a vital one for his new club.
What better way would there be to seal a derby win than Hector Herrera scoring his first in orange? The Mexican star sealed the three points for Houston with his first goal in MLS in the 86th minute. Second half substitute Griffin Dorsey was played in space on the right side. Dorsey picked his head up and found a darting Herrera in the box. HH poked the ball home past Stuver to send the 19,047 fans at Shell Energy Stadium into rapture.
The win over Austin is not only Houston’s first of the season but also head coach Ben Olsen’s first with the club. After two straight losses, picking up a win in the home opener, against a rival should be huge for the team now and going forward.
