Early goal enough as Dynamo shut out Charlotte FC
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo have started to find their offense, of late, leading to much more offense and some less defense. Tonight, against Charlotte FC, they reverted to a Dynamo team we were used to seeing early this season and last year, one that grabs a goal and posts a clean sheet to collect three points.
The goal came for Houston just five minutes into the match. Amine Bassi worked into space on the left and sent a ball into the box to Sebas Ferreira. The Paraguayan took a touch with his right foot then chipped a ball to Aliyu Ibrahim to smash a volley in to the back post. The 1-0 lead in the 5th minute allowed the Dynamo to control the ball, and the game, like they are keen to do.
Charlotte’s best chance in the first half came soon after they conceded, in the 8th minute. Kerwin Vargas had the ball sit up nicely at the top of the box and he fired on goal, only to see his effort parried away by Steve Clark.
Ferreira looked to continue his goal-scoring form after his hat trick last week. He came close in the 33rd minute after a layoff from Latif Blessing, but the shot trickled wide of the post. Just before the half, Ferreira worked himself free in the box but was denied by Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina. The half time whistle blew with the Dynamo taking the 1-0 lead into the locker room.
The second half saw the Dynamo trying to keep the ball as much as possible and tire Charlotte out in the Houston humidity. The away side pushed for an equalizer and came close on a few occasions,
Clark made a save in the 59th minute and then was aware to smother the rebound. In the 75th minute, Charlotte winger Liel Abada found himself in on goal but Clark sprawled to his left to make an incredible fingertip save to keep the score 1-0.
Houston was able to see out the match to the final whistle, although it got a little sloppy late. The Dynamo knocked on the door for a second but couldn’t find it, and ultimately they wouldn’t need it with the final score finishing 1-0.
The Dynamo now turn their attention to a busy week ahead. Houston will travel to take on Real Salt Lake Wednesday night before coming back to Shell Energy Stadium for a meeting with LAFC next Sunday, July 7. Two games against two big Western Conference opponents will be a good test for the Dynamo, but for now they’ll enjoy their three points and first win over Charlotte FC in club history.
