Super sub Segal saves a point for Dynamo in MLS opener
(image via Billy Mears)
The Houston Dynamo opened their 2024 Major League Soccer season at home on Saturday night, playing host to Sporting Kansas City. After a sluggish first half it was the visitors who struck first but a new face came off the bench for Houston to grab a point in the first MLS game of the 2024 season.
The first half was a slow burn. The Dynamo having played a midweek match and SKC playing their first match of the season saw the two teams struggling to find their feet. It also didn’t help that the Dynamo lineup was depleted of many of their regulars. Rookies Kieran Sargeant, Obafemi Owodesu, Ousmane Sylla, Stephen Annor, and Diego Gonzalez all made the Houston bench. Owodesu and Gonzalez are with the club on short-term loans from Dynamo 2, and will be for the Tuesday match against St. Louis as well. Sylla, the reigning MAC Hermann Trophy winner signed a professional deal with the club before the match. The Clemson product was the Dynamo’s second round pick in this year’s MLS SuperDraft.
On the field, the Dynamo got the better of chances in the first half. Artur drove forward into the box in the 12th minute but sent his shot over the bar. Sporting’s best chance came in the 26th minute. Daniel Salloi found time outside the box but his effort was right into the palms of Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark. Sebastian Kowalczyk had a shot blocked in the 40th minute after some good work with Aliyu Ibrahim to get free in the box.
Houston thought they opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when Brad Smith headed home. Griffin Dorsey stood a ball up to the back post and the Australian stooped to head it back across goal to beat Tim Melia. After a short deliberation the referees waved the goal off for offside. The score remained 0-0 as the teams headed to their locker rooms for half time.
It was Sporting Kansas City who got the goal, finding the break through just after the hour mark. Midfielder Erik Thommy picked up a loose ball near midfield and no Dynamo defenders stepped to defend him. He got into the box and fired a perfectly aimed shot across goal to beat Clark at the back post. Sporting had the lead, 1-0, after 61 minutes.
Ben Olsen turned to the bench to try and turn the score line around. Jan Gregus and Gabe Segal came on for Brooklyn Raines and Brad Smith. Just minutes later Segal was able to make an instant impact in his first MLS action for the club. Coco Carrasquilla switched the play to the left side to Aliyu and the Nigerian headed across goal with his first touch. Segal crashed the back post and headed in from close range, with an acrobatic finish, to make the score 1-1 in the 69th minute.
Both teams fought to find a winner but the points were to be shared on this night in downtown Houston, the score ending 1-1. The Dynamo will return to Shell Energy Stadium on Tuesday for the second lef of the Round One Concacaf Champions Cup fixture with St. Louis CITY SC. The Dynamo will then return to MLS play at home next Saturday, hosting the New York Red Bulls.
