GAME NIGHT:
DYNAMO 1, COLORADO 2
The Houston Dynamo saw their six-game unbeaten streak and three-game home winning streak halted Wednesday night, falling 2-1 to the defending MLS Cup champion Colorado Rapids at Robertson Stadium. The win was the first in eight tries in Houston for Colorado (1-5-2).
The Dynamo are back in action with their third game in nine days on Saturday, playing at Toronto FC.
Wednesday’s game came to life in the final 20 minutes. Houston took a 1-0 lead in the 71st minute when midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson fed Colin Clark at the edge of the penalty area. Clark unleashed a left-footed shot through the legs of a defender and past goalkeeper Matt Pickens at the near post. For Clark, who was traded from the Rapids to the Dynamo last September, the goal was his first since June 20, 2009, when he scored for Colorado against D.C. United.
Colorado tied the game less than three minutes later when Jamie Smith’s free kick fooled Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall and sailed over his head and into the net.
The Rapids then took the lead on a long throw-in in the 84th minute. After the Dynamo failed to clear the ball, forward Caleb Folan laid the ball back for defender Scott Palguta, who drove a left-footed shot into the lower right corner for his first career MLS goal.
Houston outshot Colorado 12-7 for the game, with the Dynamo’s best chance to tie the match coming in the 86th minute when Koke fed fellow substitute Alex Dixon in the penalty area, but Dixon’s low shot from a bad angle was saved by Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens.
Houston midfielder Geoff Cameron was scratched from the starting lineup less than one hour before kickoff due to a lower leg contusion and was replaced by Jamaican midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson, making his first career start in MLS play. Watson earned his first career assist on Colin Clark’s goal.
Midfielder Brad Davis played in the 230th game of his MLS career, while defender Bobby Boswell made the 170th start of his MLS career.
The Dynamo played without forward Calen Carr (concussion) and midfielders Geoff Cameron (lower leg contusion) and Danny Cruz (knee hyperextension).
Next Match: Saturday, May 7, 6 p.m. CT, Dynamo at Toronto FC, BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Next Home Match: Saturday, May 21, 7:30 p.m., Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls, Robertson Stadium
HOUSTON DYNAMO HEAD COACH DOMINIC KINNEAR
On the game …
“We controlled good periods of the game. They defended very well and took advantages of the mistakes we made. I think to be 1-0 up and two minutes later to give up a goal is a little deflating. We all need to do a better job of attacking the ball in the box. They did a good job of just knocking the ball forward and using the big guys to try and disturb us.”
On playing without Geoff Cameron …
“I think 71st minute, up 1-0, we put ourselves in a good position, Geoff Cameron or not. I think we did miss his presence on the field. I don’t think any team created a ton of chances. I think he would have helped us, but I thought we were doing OK. I don’t think the way we gave up those goals is due to Geoff Cameron’s absence or not.”
HOUSTON DYNAMO GOALKEEPER TALLY HALL
On Jamie Smith’s goal …
“I made a colossal error, and the team paid for it. Unfortunately it happens. It happened today, and the team was punished for it. I think we played well enough to win. One goal is enough to win the game, and I feel like I let the team down today.”
