Houston Dynamo FC defeated the Columbus Crew 2-0 at Shell Energy Stadium tonight, winning the team’s fourth consecutive match in all competitions for the first time since June 21. The team also earned their 11th clean sheet of the season and finish the evening in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Houston took the lead in the 14th minute after defender Griffin Dorsey found forward Corey Bairdbehind the Columbus backline. The forward controlled the ball with his right foot over the goalkeeper for the tap in and his sixth goal of the season. Baird has now scored in three consecutive games in league play.
The Dynamo netted a second goal in the 90th minute after captain Héctor Herrera spun around a defender near Houston’s own penalty box and found forward Aliyu Ibrahim breaking down the field near the halfway line. The 21-year-old composed himself as he entered the opposing box and fired the ball over Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte for his second goal of the season.
Houston’s first opportunity of the evening came in the eighth minute after the Dynamo won the ball near midfield. Dorsey recovered the ball and dribbled toward the top of the box, but the Columbus goalkeeper was well positioned at the near post to handle the shot.
Midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla forced a save in the 18th minute with a shot from outside the box.
The Dynamo were denied a second in the 25th minute after defender Franco Escobar forced a save at the near post. The ball fell to Herrera, but his effort bounced off the crossbar.
Forward Nelson Quinones just missed the inside of the far post in the 33rd minute following a breakaway run. Forward Amine Bassi found the 21-year-old in space, but his effort was just wide.
Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark denied Max Arfsten at the near post in the final seconds of the first half. Clark was called into action again in the 68th minute to save a first-touch shot from Cucho Hernandez. The Dynamo shot stopper finished with three saves against the Crew.
Defender Brad Smith entered the game in the 69th minute and four minutes later he nearly found the inside of the far post following a corner kick delivery from Herrera, but his header went just wide.
Clark was called into action again in the 78th minute when Julian Gressel tried his chances at goal from a tight angle from the left side of the penalty box. The veteran goalkeeper’s quick reaction kept Houston ahead in the match.
The Dynamo next travel to face the LA Galaxy in Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 2, with kickoff schedule for 9:30 p.m. CT before the September FIFA window.
