Dynamo’s Champions Cup campaign comes to an end in Columbus
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo traveled to Lower.com field in Ohio knowing that to beat the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew to have any shot of moving on to the Champions Cup quarterfinals. Houston trailed 1-0 after giving up a late goal at home in the first leg. The Dynamo came out game for the challenge but Columbus ultimately proved to be too much, drawing the second leg 1-1 and taking the series 2-1 on aggregate.
Columbus came into the match knowing a draw would be enough for them to advance. They lived dangerously in their own half in the first half. The Dynamo broke in the 15th minute for a look at goal but Sean Zawadzki was able to make a block on the shot. A set piece nearly sprung Aliyu Ibrahim in the 20th minute but his first touch got away from him, allowing for the Crew defense to tackle the ball away. Griffin Dorsey played Amine Bassi in on goal in the 36th minute and the Moroccan rounded Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. His shot found the side netting, but it was all for naught as the offside flag went up.
Columbus got their breakthrough in the 40th minute through their talisman Cucho Hernandez. A long ball over the top was mishandled in the air by Micael, allowing Columbus to break. Christian Ramirez shifted the attack to Cucho in the box on the left side and he turned Ethan Bartlow before firing near post past Steve Clark. VAR upheld the goal and Columbus took their two goal aggregate lead to half time.
The Dynamo had a mountain to climb in the final 45 minutes but they didn’t go down quietly. An Amine Bassi belter from outside the box forced a diving save from Patrick Schulte in the 53rd minute.
Columbus should have killed things off in the 57th minute with a big chance. Cucho found space and squared to Jacen Russell-Rowe in the center. The Canadian just missed, keeping Houston alive a little longer.
The Dynamo pushed for goals, bringing on Gabe Segal, Brooklyn Raines, Tate Schmitt, Brad Smith, and a debut for Ousmane Sylla. Unfortunately for Houston, as has been the case early this season, they just could not get anything dangerous in the attacking third. Fortunately, the Dynamo were given a late life line when Steve Moreira reached his hand up on a cross and hit the ball, giving Houston a penalty. Griffin Dorsey slammed it to the left to level the score on the night and pull within one goal on aggregate of advancing.
Columbus were able to kill off the four minutes of second half stoppage time with the Dynamo not getting a chance to find the winner. The very late goal from Alexandru Matan proved to be even bigger than anyone could have thought. If that game hand ended 0-0 and this game 1-1, the Dynamo would have advanced on away goals. But alas, they did give up that goal and they did fall 2-1 on aggregate to end the Concacaf Champions Cup for the Dynamo.
Houston will return to MLS regular season play on Saturday at Shell Energy Stadium, hosting the Portland Timbers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
