Houston Dynamo at Colorado Rapids: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via IMAGN)
The Houston Dynamo scored deep into stoppage time to take home all three points, beating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 Saturday night. The Dynamo will return to Shell Energy Stadium this week for a meeting with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
MATCH SUMMARY
Colorado Rapids 0-1 Houston Dynamo FC
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Venue: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City, Colorado
Referee: Mario Maric
Assistants: Regis Cardoso, Bryan Conetta
Fourth Official: Osvaldo Delgado Landeros
VAR: Sandro Ricci
Attendance: 13,432
Weather: 60 degrees, partly cloudy skies
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Brad Smith (Sebastian Ferreira) 90+6’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
HOU: Franco Escobar (caution; foul) 63’
COL: Cole Bassett (caution; foul) 66’
LINEUPS & STATS
Colorado Rapids: Zack Steffen; Keegan Rosenberry ©, Sam Vines, Andreas Maxso, Lalas Abubakar; Djordje Mihailovic, Omir Fernandez (Jonathan Lewis 63’), Oliver Larraz (Kimani Stewart-Baynes 82’); Cole Bassett, Rafael Navarro (Darren Yapi 70’), Clavin Harris (Kevin Cabral 63’)
Unused Substitutes: Lamine Diack, Sebastian Anderson, Adam Beaudry, Michael Edwards, Jackson Travis
Total shots: 10 (Djordje Mihailovic 3)
Shots on goal: 3 (Djordje Mihailovic 2)
Fouls: 15 (Lalas Abubakar and Rafael Navarro tied with 3)
Offside: 3 (three players tied with 1)
Corner kicks: 6
Saves: 1 (Zack Steffen 1)
Houston Dynamo FC: Steve Clark (c); Franco Escobar, Ethan Bartlow, Griffin Dorsey, Micael; Artur, Jan Gregus, Brooklyn Raines (Latif Blessing 82’); Aliyu Ibrahim (Brad Smith 88’), Sebastian Kowalczyk, Gabe Segal (Sebastian Ferreira 67’)
Unused substitutes: Daniel Steres, Andrew Tarbell, Tate Schmitt, Kieran Sargeant, Ousmane Sylla
Total shots: 6 (Griffin Dorsey 2)
Shots on goal: 2 (Aliyu Ibrahim and Brad Smith tied with 1)
Fouls: 9 (Sebastian Kowalczyk 4)
Offside: 4 (Aliyu Ibrahim 2)
Corner kicks: 0
Saves: 3 (Steve Clark 3)
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the game:
“Thrilled with three points and thrilled with the group's effort tonight. Before the game, we talked about having a road mentality and understanding that this is a very difficult place to get points. I've been doing this for a while and it's always a tricky place to visit, whether it's the altitude or the team on the field. They're a handful and we had another late scratch this week. The group just gave everything for each other tonight. So, I’m excited for the guys. Road wins in in our league are hard to come by and I’m just thrilled we could get away with three points.”
On Jan Gregus’ play in midfield this season:
“(Hector Herrera) leaves big shoes to fill and we've made sure he understands that he doesn't need to fill them. He just needs to be himself. He brings both experience and quality to the group. He's still learning who we are and how to be effective for our group. The relationships are more visible now and he's building confidence plus wins help. When you're on the field and you win, that goes a long way. I expect him to continue to get better each game, but he's been big for the team.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO DEFENDER BRAD SMITH
On the victory:
“It feels amazing. The team fought hard tonight. It was an altitude game and we're a little thin right now. The guys gave everything out there. For me to come in and contribute to this team, it's massive for me personally. To get three points on the road for morale is huge going into next week.”
On securing the first road win of the season:
“Obviously, last season did not start the way we wanted, but we finished strong. That's important going into this season. We wanted to keep the same mentality and defensive mindset, and you can see that on the road. That's what you need. You need clean sheets on the road. Then if you can create opportunities, you give yourself a chance to get points."
