Houston Dynamo vs Colorado Rapids: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo dominated the Colorado Rapids in a 5-1 win at Shell Energy Stadium Saturday night. Four first half goals put the game out of reach early as Houston was victorious in their regular season home finale.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 5 - 1 Colorado Rapids
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Tori Penso
Assistants: Logan Brown, Kathryn Nesbitt
Fourth Official: Katja Koroleva
VAR: David Barrie
Attendance: 16,430
Weather: 71 degrees, mostly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Nelson Quiñónes (Griffin Dorsey) 3’
HOU: Amine Bassi (Corey Baird) 8’
HOU: Nelson Quiñónes (Héctor Herrera) 28’
HOU: Corey Baird (Adalberto Carrasquilla) 41’
COL: Cole Bassett (Connor Ronan) 53’
HOU: Artur (Amine Bassi) 84’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
HOU: Griffin Dorsey (caution; foul) 48’
COL: Lalas Abubakar (caution; foul) 57’
COL: Cole Bassett (caution; foul) 63’
COL: Ralph Priso (caution; foul) 76’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Steve Clark; Franco Escobar (Daniel Steres 80’), Erik Sviatchenko, Micael, Griffin Dorsey; Héctor Herrera, Artur, Adalberto Carrasquilla (Iván Franco 88’); Nelson Quiñónes (Brad Smith 88’), Amine Bassi (Sebastian Kowalczyk 88’), Corey Baird (Aliyu Ibrahim 78’)
Unused Substitutes: Andrew Tarbell, Teenage Hadebe, Luís Caicedo
Total shots: 14 (Nelson Quiñónes 5)
Shots on goal: 10 (Nelson Quiñónes 4)
Fouls: 11 (Micael 3)
Offside: 1 (Nelson Quiñónes 1)
Corner kicks: 3
Saves: 0
Colorado Rapids: Marko Ilic; Andrew Gutman, Andreas Maxsø, Lalas Abubakar, Keegan Rosenberry (Braian Galván 90’); Cole Bassett, Connor Ronan (Danny Leyva 78’), Calvin Harris (Ralph Priso 46’); Diego Rubio (Jonathan Lewis 56’), Sam Nicholson (Danny Wilson 46’), Rafael Navarro
Unused substitutes: Abraham Rodriguez, Luis Díaz, Steven Beitashour, Kévin Cabral
Total shots: 10 (Cole Bassett 4)
Shots on goal: 1 (Cole Bassett 1)
Fouls: 10 (Ralph Priso 3)
Offside: 1 (Rafael Navarro 1)
Corner kicks: 3
Saves: 5 (Marko Ilic 5)
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the result:
"Our mentality throughout the week was good. We got into the postseason, I think that was a big relief, because we've been preaching it all year. It’s natural to say, ‘Okay, we're in the postseason.’ So, I was a little worried about the mentality of coming in this, but you could tell from the start that these guys want more. That’s a really healthy thing. It was an incredible first half. The way they played and trust each other. The way they moved the ball. It was just a joy to watch. The last two games, we weren’t killers. We didn't finish plays to give us the points we needed. We really kind of hammered that home this week and made sure that collectively we were going to be a little sharper and really dial it in, in front of goal. They did that. I thought they managed the game really well. Colorado, they're dangerous. They have some weapons, and they were difficult on set pieces and the long throw ins, but overall, it was just a really good night from the guys.”
On the depth on the roster:
“It’s pretty good. It’s pretty deep and pretty solid. (MF) Héctor Herrera is a superstar. Other than that, there’s a lot of guys here that have shared the playing time for most of the year. We’ve rotated constantly because the games have come fast and furious, but also sometimes through injuries and suspensions. We’ve used a lot of guys. Through that process, the guys gain confidence in their teammates, and it builds a nice team chemistry when everybody is contributing throughout the year. That’s a big part of why this group likes each other and has real trust. It’s not just one through 11, it’s 15, 16 and 17 guys that have really contributed this year. It’s nice as a coach. That’s why I like the games. When you have a little bit of a deeper squad, you rotate and everybody’s happy. When you play week in, week out all the time, you don’t have to rotate as much, and you’ve got more guys not getting the love.”
On the message to the fans:
“I want people to come back. We need to get this place packed. We need to have every seat in this building sold to give us the edge we need to continue on the path of growing this organization and getting this back to where we want it to be. That’s in the postseason consistently and hopefully holding more trophies. I remember playing here back in the day for D.C. United, and it was packed. It was hot and packed. It was Hell. It’s not going to be hot, but we can still make it packed and loud. Again, the fans that are here, we feel you. It’s great energy. But we know we can make it even better. Come on out. It’s a good show right now.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO DEFENDER ERIK SVIATCHENKO
On the victory:
“We looked really hungry out there and showed that we can compete at the highest level in this league. We did that from the first minute when we scored. So, from there on, it was one-way traffic, even though it was crazy how quickly it happened. I'm annoyed that we couldn't keep a clean sheet. That's something that matters to us. I don't want to be negative here because it was a really great performance. Some of the plays that we saw today, that is something I've never been a part of on any other team. I've played a lot of games in my career, and this is a joy, really, something I'm enjoying so much to be a part of. I'm proud of this team and how much we've developed throughout the last couple of months. It's an insane turnaround to be fair, but we still have a lot of things to do and get better at, which is also amazing to think about. At the moment, there aren't many cracks in Houston Dynamo's defense or offense. Now we go on international break with so much spirit, and getting some days off which is well deserved. Then we face Portland away, which is a game we want to win because we know how important it is to end as high in the table as possible.”
On the fans:
“It was great. It's so important to form a connection between the players, the club and the fans. We're getting closer and closer to that high level of a fan base, and today, they were great. This must be the base layer added for our future. We can see the Astros, Rockets, and Texans in the city, and the Dynamo needs to be up there. We are doing so great at the moment. So, I think it's an amazing place to visit. To have a stadium to feel a part of is something that we are starting to provide, and everyone can get that feeling when they come to see sports here because I think we have something to offer.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO MIDFIELDER HECTOR HERRERA
Sobre la victoria:
"La verdad es que entramos siempre queriendo ganar y hacer las cosas bien. Nunca pensamos si vamos a ganar 5-1,3-1, 1-0, lo que sea, pensamos en ganarlo, que creo que es lo más importante. Obviamente que ganar así le gusta a la gente, nos gusta a nosotros nos genera confianza. Y bueno, este último partido en casa creo que era importante porque bueno, viene el playoff, que es lo más bonito y lo más importante en la temporada".
Sobre el formato de los playoffs:
"Ya cuando toque jugar habrá que jugar lo que tenga que jugar y hay que ganarlo".
Sobre cómo se siente fiscicamente:
"Un poco de dolor en las rodillas, pero eso es algo que hace parte de mi vida ya. El resto estoy muy bien. Y ahora voy a aprovechar este parón de selecciones para descansar, recuperar, trabajar en el tema de fuerza y poder sacar esos pequeños dolores que tengo un poco en las rodillas".
Sobre si siente a Houston como su casa:
"De hecho, ayer por la noche estaba en casa con unos amigos. Vinieron los amigos de mis hijos a casa y los padres también son nuestros amigos. Y hablábamos de eso, de qué me gustaba más, si Portugal y Madrid, si Houston se lea mañana, si me voy, voy a extrañar Houston y todas esas cosas. Yo le decía que la vida de acá me gusta, ¿no? Hoy por la mañana he estado en el club viendo el partido de mi hijo, viendo a la academia, no veo solo a mi hijo, veo la academia, me siento en un sitio donde puedo ver los tres partidos de la academia y esa vida me gusta. Amo al menos estar viendo a los chicos, estar viendo a mi hijo de cerca, poderlo acompañar de muy cerca. Y bueno, eso es lo que te da la vida americana, la MLS, y la verdad que lo estoy disfrutando mucho y espero poderme quedar muchos años acá, hasta donde el físico me dé, no mientras pueda seguir ayudando al equipo a la ciudad a ponerlo en lo más alto. Yo estoy encantado de hacerlo. Cuando llegué acá lo dije un poco que venía a ganar cosas, a poner al equipo a competir y en mi segundo año lo estoy logrando. Mucha gente se río de mí porque pensaban que venía a retirarme, a estar tranquilo y ganar solo dinero. Pero nunca fue esa mi intención, ni siempre fue mi intención. Creía en el proyecto. Y bueno, estoy viendo los resultados y eso es lo que más me hace feliz".
