Houston Dynamo net crucial three points to stay alive in postseason race
Autumn is a gorgeous season for any sports fan; the MLB postseason is going on, NBA training camps are tipping-off, the NFL season is in its early stages and MLS teams’ most important goals are three points.
The Houston Dynamo are one of those MLS teams attempting to finish the season in the top six of the Western Conference with just four matches left in the regular season after their 1-0 win over rival Sporting Kansas City.
Inconsistency has been a theme for the Dynamo all season and heading into the match versus Sporting KC the Dynamo and their fans knew it was a must-win game with having tallied only seven points in their prior five matches.
With the first day of Fall kicking in, BBVA Compass Stadium decked out in “Forever Orange” and 20,000 fans singing and chanting the theme songs “Dale Dale Dynamo” and “We Are Orange,” it was a beautiful evening for an MLS match.
Sporting KC were led by Benny Feilhaber and the team’s top goal scorer, Dominic Dwyer, while the Dynamo received a boost in the Starting XI as Raul Rodriguez and DaMarcus Beasley returned to the lineup. Rasheed Olabiyi made his first start after playing only 80 minutes since being acquired by the Dynamo mid-season.
The bad blood between these two teams became apparent early on in the 16th minute as Kevin Ellis made a physical tackle on Will Bruin just outside the box. The chippy play continued throughout the match as 36 combined fouls were called and seven yellow cards were given out.
Starting at right back for the first time with the club, Boniek Garcia received a second yellow card in the 70th minute for an early shower, which left the Dynamo with 10 men once again for the fourth time this season versus KC.
Even though the Dynamo controlled the possession in the first half, the pace did not pick up for either team until the Dynamo’s first shot attempt, which came from Giles Barnes from long distance, which went over the top crossbar into the stands.
Dynamo fans held their breath as they received a scare 10 minutes into the second half with a couple players going down with injuries. Leonel Miranda went down after a sliding tackle from Seth Sinovic, which earned him the yellow card booking, and Giles Barnes went down with a knee injury.
A sigh of relief came at BBVA Compass Stadium when the Dynamo finally broke the 0-0 tie in the 67th minute after a give-and-go play from Brad Davis to DaMarcus Beasley who then found a wide open Will Bruin in the back post for an easy tap in goal. The goal gave Bruin his 11th of the season, which leads the team.
The Dynamo maintained the lead to earn the crucial three points to stay alive in their pursuit for a postseason berth.
The momentum from the previous win carried over for the Dynamo in their next game as they edged out a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids at BBVA Compass Stadium.
But the hot streak would not be enough as the Dynamo stumbled in their next match at Toyota Stadium in a hostile environment as FC Dallas completed the season sweep in dominating fashion, defeating the Dynamo 4-1.
Sitting in the eighth spot with 41 points, the Dynamo will try to keep their playoff hopes alive in their next match as they host the Seattle Sounders in their final home game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 18.
