The Houston Dynamo fell to the Colorado Rapids, 3-2, in a preseason scrimmage on Sunday morning at Methodist Champions Field at Houston Sports Park. Tony Cascio and Giles Barnes scored goals for the Dynamo, who will travel to Tucson, Ariz. on Tuesday to continue preseason.
With the game tied 2-2 in the 86th minute, the Rapids won the ball at midfield and broke down the field. At the edge of the penalty area Charles Eloundou slid a pass to Gabriel Torres, who found the top corner of the net for the winning goal.
Colorado opened the scoring in the 12th minute. A combination between Dillon Serna and Chris Klute led to an opening inside the box, and Serna hit the far corner from 12 yards for a 1-0 lead.
Houston responded three minutes later as Cascio – on loan to the Dynamo from the Rapids – collected the ball on the left flank and took an opportunistic shot from 25 yards that deflected off Rapids defender Drew Moor and into the net, tying the game 1-1.
The Dynamo took a 2-1 lead in the 38th minute when trialist Sito Seoane slotted a through ball to Barnes, who muscled off Colorado defender Tolani Ibikunle before breaking alone on goal and beating Rapids goalkeeper Joe Nasco with a calm finish.
Colorado evened the score nine minutes later. Midfielder Marlon Hairston fed Deshorn Brown in behind the Houston defense, and Brown finished his chance to level the score 2-2.
Before Torres’ game-winning goal, Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric made an important save to keep the game tied. Eloundou created space inside the penalty area and fired a shot from 15 yards that Deric tipped off the crossbar.
Houston’s chances included a pinpoint cross from Brian Ownby, who found Omar Cummings inside the penalty area, but he was thwarted by a pair of Colorado defenders after settling the ball.
Earlier, Cascio played a curling pass behind the Rapids defense intended for Will Bruin, but Nasco came off his line to prevent a chance for Bruin.
Then, Boniek Garcia dribbled past his marker inside the box and drove a low shot toward the near post from ten yards that required a diving save from Nasco.
The Dynamo travel to Tucson, Ariz. on Tuesday for three preseason scrimmages against MLS clubs. Houston’s first scrimmage is Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT, when it faces the Portland Timbers at Kino Sports Complex. The match will be streamed live at www.MLSsoccer.com.
Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids
February 2, 2014 – Houston Sports Park
Preseason Scrimmage
Scoring summary:
COL – Dillon Serna (Chris Klute) 12
HOU – Tony Cascio 1 (unassisted) 15
HOU – Giles Barnes 1 (Sito Seoane) 38
COL – Deshorn Brown (Marlon Hairston) 47
COL – Gabriel Torres (Charles Eloundou) 86
Houston Dynamo – Tyler Deric (Michael Lisch 78); Mike Chabala (Brian Ownby 46), Eric Brunner (David Horst 46), AJ Cochran (Anthony Arena 46), Euan Holden^; Boniek Garcia (Andrew Driver 46) (Bryan Salazar 78), Ricardo Clark (Servando Carrasco 46), Sito Seoane* (Alex López 46), Tony Cascio (Jason Johnson 46); Giles Barnes (Omar Cummings 46), Will Bruin (Mark Sherrod 46)
Colorado Rapids – Joe Nasco (John Berner 61); Albert Edward (Marvell Wynne 61), Grant Van De Casteele (Jared Watts 46), Drew Moor (Tolani Ibikunle 31), Chris Klute (Kory Kindle 31, Marc Burch 61); Juan Guzman (Marlon Hairston 46), Samuel Galindo (Nick LaBrocca 61); Marvin Chavez (Charles Eloundou 31), Kamani Hill (Reuben Ayarna 31, Nathan Sturgis 61), Dillon Serna (Vicente Sanchez 61); Edson Buddle (Deshorn Brown 31, Gabriel Torres 61)
*Trialist
^Guest player
Discipline summary:
None.
