Houston Dynamo FC defeat the San Jose Earthquakes by a final score of 2-1 to earn the first win in San Jose since 2016. With this win, Houston has now won three road games for the first time since the 2014 season.
Forward Thor Úlfarsson scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute, completing the come from behind victory. The goal came after forward Darwin Quintero gained possession near the Earthquake’s goal line before finding Úlfarsson open in front of net, where the rookie from Duke University was able to get a shot off that found the back of the net after a deflection. The victory marks the first comeback victory on the road since October 28, 2018 against LA Galaxy. The goal is Úlfarsson’s fourth of the season, the most by a Dynamo rookie since Will Bruin had five in 2011.
The Quakes took the lead off a free kick from Cristian Espinoza that found Tommy Thompson inside the box in the 53rd minute. Thompson’s header bounced off the crossbar and the rebound fell to Jackson Yueill who found the back of the net with a low shot at the near post.
Dynamo forward Sebastián Ferreira scored the equalizer in the 72nd minute after forward Fafa Picault won the ball outside the box, he found the Paraguayan international unmarked for his seventh goal of the season.
Houston’s first opportunity of the half came in the eighth minute off the right foot of Picault. The forward won a second ball following a duel between midfielder Coco Carrasquilla and a Quakes defender at the edge of the box. Picault’s effort from outside the box went wide of the far post.
The Earthquakes were awarded a free kick outside the box in the 10th minute and the ensuing free kick from forward Jeremy Ebobisse went wide of the far post. The Quakes forced a save from Dynamo shot stopper Steve Clark three minutes later on a counterattack that would finish at the feet of Espinoza, but his effort was saved at the bottom corner of the near post.
The Dynamo nearly took the lead in the 16th minute after midfielder Héctor Herrera found defender Teenage Hadebe inside the box, but his effort went over the crossbar. The game marked the first start for Herrera since joining the Dynamo.
Clark was called into action again in the 29th minute when he punched away a free kick from Paul Marie. The Dynamo shot stopper finished with four saves against San Jose.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came from open play in the 49th minute as Carrasquilla found defender Griffin Dorsey inside the box, but the outside back missed the target at the near post. The Dynamo would knock on the door again a minute later as Herrera dribbled past a defender to create space for a shot that missed the mark at the far post.
The Dynamo forced a save in the 57th minute after Quintero found Picault at the edge of the box, but his effort was saved at the near post by the San Jose goalkeeper.
Defender Tim Parker made a game-saving clearance on the goal-line in the 75th minute, as the Earthquakes had gained possession in their attacking third. Ebobisse received a pass just in front of goal, however Parker slid in front of goal just in time to prevent the goal.
The Dynamo return to PNC Stadium on Saturday, July 23 to host Minnesota United FC. The first 2,500 fans will get a plush Diesel Shoulder Buddy courtesy of Heriberto Ramos. The shoulder buddy has a magnetic tab you can slip under your shirt to allow Dynamo Diesel to perch on your shoulder all game long. For tickets and additional information visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
