Houston Dynamo FC closed the 2023 preseason with a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas at Shell Energy Stadium this evening.
Houston took the lead in the 31st minute following a one-two combination inside the box between Corey Baird and Coco Carrasquilla. The Panamanian international found space at the edge of the six-yard box and his shot evaded a pair of defenders lunging to clear the ball. Defender Daniel Steres was the last Dynamo player to touch the ball as it crossed the line into the back of the net.
Amine Bassi won a penalty kick in the 67th minute after he suffered a foul inside the penalty area. Baird took the ensuing penalty kick to give Houston a 2-0 lead.
Houston’s first opportunity of the game came in the second minute after midfielder Hector Herrera found Baird outside the box. Baird’s left-footed effort was saved by the Dallas shot stopper at the far post.
Dallas responded four minutes later after Jesus Ferreira broke away from backline, but his effort bounced off the bottom corner of the far post.
Houston forced a save in the 14th minute when Bassi found forward Ivan Franco inside the box, but his header was saved by the Dallas goalkeeper.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came in the 51st minute off a left-footed shot from Bassi, but his effort was saved at the near post.
Houston nearly doubled their lead in the 58th minute off a long pass from defender Tate Schmitt. The defender found Carrasquilla outside the box, but the Panamanian international just missed the inside of the near post.
The Dynamo open the 2023 season on the road against FC Cincinatti at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Feb. 25. The match will stream live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and additional information is available here.
The team returns to Shell Energy Stadium on March 18 to host Austin FC for the home opener. Tickets for the match are available here.
