The Houston Dynamo opened their 2017 preseason with a 5-0 win against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas on Saturday night. The game consisted of two 30-minute halves in which many of the newcomers to the team showcased their talent.
Forward Mauro Manotas opened the scoring in the 12th minute on an assist by forward Romell Quioto, who dribbled his way down the left side and chipped a cross to the middle of the box. Quioto’s assist was not the only assist made by a Honduran newcomer, as forward Alberth Elis went down the right side and set up midfielder Alex in front of the net for a goal in the 23rd minute.
In the second period, forward Erick Torres and first round draftee Joseph Holland came out leading the offense for the Dynamo. Torres’ first scoring chance came when he hit the left post, but it didn’t take long after for him to find the back of the net. Holland found Torres in a crowd of defenders at the top of the penalty area, and the Mexican striker didn't miss with his right foot.
Soon after that, midfielder Andrew Wenger served a corner kick that found defender Agus at the back post for a close-range finish. As the match was coming to an end, forward Vicente Sánchez demonstrated his skills and experience, dribbling past UTRGV defenders down the left side and delivering a low cross for Torres to slide onto. Torres' second goal closed out the 60 minute scrimmage.
The match was followed by a 45 minute period between the Dynamo and RGV FC. The game finished 2-1, with a 20 yard blast by midfielder Memo Rodriguez opening the scoring for the Dynamo in the 39th minute. Ivan Luquetta leveled the match for the Toros in the 43rd minute with a chip from distance, but it did not last long as midfielder Christian Lucatero drew a penalty in the 45th minute, which he converted to give the Dynamo the victory.
The Dynamo will close their trip to the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday with a full match against the RGV FC Toros.
Houston Dynamo vs. University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
Preseason Friendlies
February 4, 2017 – H-E-B Park, Edinburg, Texas
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Mauro Manotas 1 (Romell Quioto 1) 12
HOU: Alex 1 (Alberth Elis 1) 23
HOU: Erik Torres 1 (Joseph Holland 1) 50
HOU: Agus 1 (Andrew Wenger 1) 51
HOU: Erick Torres 2 (Vicente Sánchez 1) 59
HOU: Memo Rodriguez 1 (unassisted) 39
RGV: Ivan Luquetta (unassisted) 43
HOU: Christian Lucatero 1 (penalty) 45
Houston Dynamo (1st period): Joe Willis; A.J. DeLaGarza, Adolfo Machado, Leonardo, Dylan Remick; Ricardo Clark; Juan David Cabezas, Alex; Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto
Houston Dynamo (2nd period): Tyler Deric; George Malki, Jalil Anibaba, Agus, Kevin Garcia; Joseph Holland, Eric Alexander, Boniek GarcÃa; Andrew Wenger, Erick Torres, Vicente Sánchez
Houston Dynamo (3rd period): Calle Brown; Right Back, Taylor Hunter, Robbie Sagel, Danilo Radjen; Memo Rodriguez, Todd Wharton, José Escalante; Christian Lucatero, Francisco Ramos, T.J. Casner
2017 MLS SuperDraft Pick
Trialist
Misconduct Summary:
HOU: Jalil Anibaba (caution)
Referee: Gregorio Garza
Assistant Referees: Matt Breland, Joaquin Garza
