Houston Dynamo FC dropped a back-and-forth affair with CF Montréal at PNC Stadium tonight, falling 3-2 in a match that saw two ties and three lead changes.
Houston took the lead in the 12th minute after captain Héctor Herrera found forward Sebas Ferreira inside the box with a pin-point pass from across the field. The Paraguayan international controlled the ball with his right foot over a Montréal defender and finished with his opposite leg for the first goal of the game.
Montréal was awarded a penalty kick in the 14th minute after goalkeeper Steve Clark was called for a foul inside the box. Forward Romell Quioto converted from the penalty spot for the equalizer a minute later.
The visitors scored again in the 28th minute after the Dynamo backline cleared a corner kick. The ball fell to Montréal captain Samuel Piette, who found midfielder Alistair Johnson on the right side of the box for the third goal of the half.
The Dynamo equalized in the 36th minute off a cross from Memo Rodriguez. The Dynamo Academy alum found Daniel Steres inside the box for his first goal of the season. Rodriguez’s initial corner kick was cleared, but only as far as forward Darwin Quintero at the corner of the penalty area. Quintero recycled the ball back to Rodriguez, whose second cross found Steres at the near post.
Montréal took the lead for good in the 69th minute after midfielder Lassi Lappalainen dribbled past a Dynamo defender and beat the Dynamo goalkeeper at the far post.
Defensively, the Dynamo were forced to get creative due to a combination of injury and illness. Second-year center back Ethan Bartlow reentered the starting lineup for the first time since June 18 and Houston Dynamo 2 stalwart Micael Dos Santos Silva made his MLS debut as a halftime substitute.
Clark was called into action in the 26th minute when he denied a curling effort from Djordje Mihailovic. The Dynamo shot stopper finished with three saves against Montréal.
Montréal was awarded a second penalty kick at the end of the first half that was confirmed after consulting with Video Assistant Referee Younes Marrakchi. The penalty was initially awarded for a handball inside the box by Rodriguez. Quioto skied the penalty kick over the crossbar and into the upper bowl of the stadium, sending the contest into halftime level at two goals apiece.
The Dynamo open a two-game road trip next Saturday when they travel west to face the Colorado Rapids before visiting Minnesota United FC on Aug. 27. The Dynamo closes the month at PNC Stadium when they host Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale and LAFC on Aug. 31.
