A second half surge from Houston Dynamo FC fell just short of earning a point on the road this evening as they lost 2-1 to Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium.
Orlando took the lead in the 25th minute after Facundo Torres found Ercan Kara at the far post to guide the ball into the back of the net.
The Lions doubled their lead in the 57th minute off a deflection from Kara just outside the six-yard box. Dynamo defender Teenage Hadebe initially cleared the ball, but Mauricio Pereyra controlled the rebound and fired a shot that deflected off his teammate for the second goal of the game.
Houston responded within seconds off a cross from defender Zeca that found Sebas Ferreira inside the box. The Paraguayan international beat the Orlando goalkeeper with a header to the far post. Ferreira has now scored six goals in the regular season and seven in all competitions for Houston.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came in the seventh minute after Ferreira laid a ball off to forward Corey Baird outside the box. Baird’s effort was on target but handled by the Orlando goalkeeper.
Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark denied Kara at the far post in the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half. The play began with a set piece following a handball outside the box. The Dynamo shot stopper finished with four saves against Orlando.
Houston nearly equalized in the 66th minute following a free kick outside the box. Houston was awarded the free kick after Ferreira was brought down by Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Midfielder Darwin Quintero took the free kick and his effort bounced off the top corner of the far post.
Gallese denied Houston again in the 72nd minute when he got a hand on a low shot from forward Tyler Pasher at the far post.
The Orlando backline denied Daniel Steres in the 74th minute after a corner kick fell to the defender in the heart of the box. Steres’ first-touch effort bounced off Kyle Smith and eventually cleared by the Lions.
Houston knocked on the door a minute later after Pasher forced a save from the Orlando goalkeeper at the far post with a curling effort.
The Dynamo return to PNC Stadium on Saturday, June 25 to host Xherdan Shaqiri and Chicago Fire FC. The first 5,000 fans will receive a Pride hat, courtesy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
