Houston Dynamo vs Toronto FC: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Diego Martinez)
The Houston Dynamo were beaten 1-0 by Toronto FC Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium as Major League Soccer play resumed after the month-long Leagues Cup.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dynamo FC 0-1 Toronto FC
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistants: Corey Rockwell, Ryan Graves
VAR: Alexis da Silva
Attendance: 16,640
Weather: 90 degrees, mostly sunny skies
SCORING SUMMARY
TOR: Prince Osei Owusu (Federico Bernardeschi) 54’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
TOR: Jonathan Osorio (caution; foul) 5’
TOR: Deybi Flores (caution; foul) 45’
TOR: Federico Bernardeschi (caution; time wasting) 61’
HOU: Sebastian Kowalczyk (caution; foul) 78’
HOU: Ben Olsen (caution; dissent) 90+2’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dynamo FC: Steve Clark; Franco Escobar, Micael, Erik Sviatchenko (Brad Smith 79’), Griffin Dorsey (Daniel Steres 91’), Artur; Héctor Herrera (C), Ibrahim Aliyu (Lawrence Ennali 60’), Amine Bassi (Sebastian Ferreira 79’); Latif Blessing (Sebastian Kowalczyk 60’), Ezequiel Ponce
Unused Substitutes: Ethan Bartlow, Andrew Tarbell, Jan Gregus, Brooklyn Raines
Total shots: 18 (Griffin Dorsey 4)
Shots on goal: 4 (four players tied with 1)
Fouls: 11 (Latif Blessing 4)
Offside: 1 (Latif Blessing 1)
Corner kicks: 7
Saves: 2 (Steve Clark 2)
Toronto FC: Sean Johnson; Sigurd Rosted, Kevin Long, Shane O'Neill (Kobe Franklin 73’), Richie Laryea (Aime Mabika 79’), Deybi Flores; Matty Longstaff (Kosi Thompson 73’), Federico Bernardeschi (Henry Wingo 60’), Jonathan Osorio (C); Derrick Etienne Jr. (Charles Sharp 79’), Prince Osei Owusu
Unused substitutes: Brandon Servania, Deandre Kerr, Luka Gavran
Total shots: 9 (Prince Osei Owusu 4)
Shots on goal: 3 (Prince Osei Owusu 2)
Fouls: 10 (three players tied with 2)
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 3
Saves: 3 (Sean Johnson 3)
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH BEN OLSEN
On the match:
“It was not the result we wanted. Nevertheless, we played well, and we had lots of great chances. Unfortunately, we just didn’t make the plays. If we want to be the team that we aim to be, we must be killers in the final third. There were enough chances to see the game out, and we can’t expect our defense to put up shutouts at every home game.”
On the support from the crowd:
“We need the fans. It was a good crowd, and tonight’s result makes it hurt a little bit more because we didn’t send them home happy. There was good energy in the building, and we need that going forward.”
On moving forward:
“This is what we do. We’ll get back, work hard and get ready for LAFC. We’re in an okay spot right now, but we’d certainly like to move up the table. Losing home games is unacceptable, and we’ll try to get back on track.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO DEFENDER ERIK SVIATCHENKO
On the support from the crowd:
“I could hear the fans. There was even a difference during warmups, so we are going in the right direction. They were behind us, and we need that kind of support every game. Of course we were unhappy we couldn’t give them that win tonight, but we look forward our next game against LAFC. Hopefully, we can replicate some of the good performances we had against them last season.”
On the growth of MLS and star players:
“It’s always exciting to watch this league grow in the sense of getting better players each transfer window. As fellow colleagues, it’s nice to see these superstars choose MLS when they still have lots to offer. This is not a retirement league. It’s also a great league to develop young talent in. Even though the players mentioned are older, they are still very impactful.”
