Houston Dynamo FC defeated Austin FC by a final score of 3-0 this evening at BBVA Stadium. The win marks the largest margin of victory for Houston on the season and ends the team’s 16-game winless streak.
Forward Fafà Picault bagged a brace while goalkeeper Michael Nelson notched his first career clean sheet with assistance from the Dynamo back line. Houston held Austin to just two shots on goal, both of which Nelson saved, while defenders blocked seven shots before they ever got to the target.
The Dynamo did not waste time starting the scoring. The first goal of the game came in just the first minute of the game, when forward Griffin Dorsey blasted the ball into the back of the net after a shot from midfielder Darwin Quintero was blocked. The goal, which came just 48 seconds into the match, was the third-fastest in Dynamo history. It was also the first of Dorsey’s MLS career.
The Dynamo doubled their lead in the 24th minute thanks to the hustle of Picault. The forward ran on to a long ball from defender Teenage Hadebe and picked the pocket of an Austin defender before curling the ball around Austin’s goalkeeper. The assist is the first for Hadebe since joining the MLS.
Picault struck once again in the 64th in a wild sequence that started when Nelsonsaved an Austin shot and the rebound ricocheted off the post. A long clearance found its way to Picault sprinting down the left side of the pitch on a solo counter attack, before he worked his way in front of goal and knocked the ball into the net.
Picault’s two goals gave him eight on the year, six of which have come in the last eight matches. This marks the fourth time Picault has recorded an MLS brace and the first since Oct. 31, 2020 against FC Dallas.
With the win, the Dynamo evened the season series with their in-state rival and overtook them in the standings. The two teams will face off once again in Austin on Oct. 24.
Prior to the match, the Dynamo took part in a league wide remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which took place on this date 20 years ago. In addition to wearing a commemorative patch, the ceremony included a moment of silence followed by the singing of the national anthem by a Houston-area FBI agent of more than 30 years.
This game marked the coming together of two of the four Texas-based professional soccer teams participating in the Texas Unites fundraiser for Hurricane Ida relief efforts. To donate to the relief efforts, go to https://justgiving.com/campaign/texasunites.
The Dynamo will travel to Los Angeles to take on the LA Galaxy for their next contest. Kickoff for that match is set for 9:30 p.m. CDT and fans can tune in at Quest Texas 55 and MLS Live on ESPN+.
