HOUSTON (March 30, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 earlier this evening at Shell Energy Stadium to extend their winning streak to three matches in league play. Today’s victory also marked the 100th triumph in league play for the Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium.
The Dynamo scored the equalizer in the 81st minute after Artur played a ball into the box for forward Sebas Ferreira. The 26-year-old Paraguayan made his first start of the season after being sidelined due to an injury in Houston’s opening match of the year.
Houston took the lead minutes later following a corner kick from forward Amine Bassi that was initially cleared. Defender Franco Escobar was well positioned to capitalize on the loose ball for his first goal of the season.
San Jose took the lead in the first minute of the match following a corner kick from Cristian Espinoza that found Bruno Wilson at the far post.
The Earthquakes played the final 56 minutes of the match with 10 men after referee Ismir Pekmic showed a red card to Preston Judd after consulting VAR and determining there was violent conduct off the ball. Another Earthquakes player was sent to the locker room early in second half stoppage time when Jackson Yueill was shown a second yellow card.
Forward Aliyu Ibrahim found a loose ball at his feet in the 16th minute but only had a split second to create a shot, which was blocked by San Jose goalkeeper William Yarbrough. Seconds later, Bassi delivered a ball into the box from the left said to the head of Ibrahim, which forced another quick reaction save from the Earthquakes’ shot stopper.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark was called into action in the 23rd minute when Paul Marie fed a ball to Judd running into the right side of the penalty box, but the veteran shot stopper recorded his first and only save of the night.
The Dynamo created a chance from a short corner in the 25th minute when Bassi delivered a ball to the back post from the left side that found defender Griffin Dorsey. The 25-year-old headed the ball along the six-yard box where Ferreira’s bicycle kick attempt went over the crossbar.
Defender Erik Sviatchenko took his chances from outside of the penalty box in first-half stoppage time after Artur fed him the ball, but the 32-year-old defender was not able to beat Yarbrough.
Houston almost equalized in the 59th minute after a corner kick rebound fell to defender Brad Smith on the edge of the penalty box. The Australian fired a strong half-volley shot off the outside of his left foot, which forced a stretched left-foot saved from Yarbrough. Smith scored a stoppage-time winner for Houston in Colorado last week.
Artur took a shot from outside of the penalty box in the 71st minute, but his curling attempt went just wide of the far post.
This was Houston’s first come-from-behind victory since a 2-1 triumph at home over Austin FC on May 27, 2023. The Dynamo next hit the road for two matches, starting with the Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, April 6, followed by a trip to Minnesota United FC on Saturday, April 13.
