HOUSTON (May 18, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC earned a 1-1 draw versus in-state rivals FC Dallas in the second leg of the Texas Derby at Shell Energy Stadium tonight. The result extended Houston’s home unbeaten streak versus Dallas to 11 matches, dating back to August of 2016.
Houston broke the scoreless tie in the first half stoppage time when captain Héctor Herrera played a ball to defender Daniel Steres on the left side of the penalty box. Steres immediately played the ball to the middle of the box to forward Amine Bassi, who fired the ball into the back of the net with his first touch for his first goal of the season. The play also marked Steres’ first assist of the season.
Dallas equalized in the 69th minute when Bernard Kamungo played a ball to the feet of Petar Musa at the edge of the six-yard box, who directed the ball into the back of the net.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark was called into action in the second minute after a ball across the box from Jesus Ferreira found Kamungo, who hit the shot with his left foot. The veteran shot stopper repelled the ball with ease for hist first of two saves on the night.
Midfielder Artur saw Houston’s first strong chance of the day in the 16th minute, looping a shot from the edge of the box after the Dynamo strung together several passes in the final third. However, the Brazilian’s attempt was corralled by goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Artur managed another powerful shot in the 35th minute after Herrera,who made his third start of the season tonight, laid a ball off to his midfield teammate on the edge of the box, but Paes was able to quell the danger again.
The Dynamo thought they had opened scoring in the 43rd minute when a Herrera corner delivery found the head of defender Erik Sviatchenko, but the Danish international’s powerful header went just outside of the post.
Herrera took his chances from outside of the box after a quick turn in first half stoppage time, but the attempt went directly to Paes. One minute later, midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla took another shot from deep that forced a diving save from the Dallas goalkeeper.
Forward Aliyu Ibrahim hit a shot on goal in the 60th minute after Carrasquilla played him into the left side of the box. However, the low attempt at the near post was not enough to find the back of the net.
Clark was called into action again in the 66th minute when a header from Sebastian Ibeagha off a corner delivery bounced in front of the shot stopper, who was able to push the ball away from danger.
Clark exited the match in the 73rd minute after Artur inadvertently struck him in the face. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell entered the match to replace the 38-year-old for his first appearance of the season.
Ibrahim weaved his way into the box in the 94th minute, but his attempt was batted away by Paes.
Two minutes later, Sviatchenko managed another strong header off a corner, but the ball went tantalizingly wide of the post.
The Dynamo wrap up May’s slate of matches with a road trip to face LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 25, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.
