Houston Dynamo FC played to a scoreless draw with the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park tonight, finishing the night in fifth place in the Western Conference.
Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell made his first MLS start for the Dynamo, leading the way to earn Houston’s 12th clean sheet out of 27 league matches, the most of any MLS team. The Dynamo have now earned five consecutive clean sheets in league play.
The Dynamo nearly forced an own goal in the 10th minute following a breakaway run from forward Nelson Quiñónes. The 21-year-old switched play, and the ball was ultimately played to forward Amine Bassi outside the box. The 25-year-old crossed a ball into the six-yard box, and his pass was cleared by the Galaxy backline just wide of the inside of the near post.
Captain Héctor Herrera tested his luck from outside the box in the 33rd minute, but his effort went just wide of the far post. Herrera is one of three players that will report to national team duty next week during the September FIFA window. Midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla (Panama) and goalkeeper Xavier Valdez (Dominican Republic) will depart for their respective national teams on Sunday.
Tarbell was called into action moments later to deny Dejan Joveljic at the near post. The veteran goalkeeper finished with four saves against the Galaxy in his first MLS start of the season. Tarbell has appeared in five matches for the Dynamo in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and recently helped the team advance to the final of the competition to face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on Sept. 27 in Florida.
Dynamo forward Corey Baird was denied at the near post in the 43rd minute following a one-two sequence at the edge of the box with Bassi. Bassi created a team-leading three chances on the night.
Tarbell made a key save in the 55th minute when he dove to the near post to deny Tyler Boyd.
Tarbell was called back into action in the 75th minute, making two saves within five seconds to keep the match scoreless. The first came from Daniel Aguirre from outside the box, while the second came from Michael Barrios from just outside the right side of the six-yard box.
One minute later, Herrera took his chances from well outside of the penalty box. The Mexican international’s strong strike forced a diving save from Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond to keep the scoreline even.
The Dynamo found themselves on the break in the 79th minute when Herrera found Carrasquilla running up the right wing. The Panamanian international found forward Aliyu Ibrahim running into the penalty box, but his attempt went wide of the post.
Houston created another chance in the second minute of stoppage time when Bassi flicked the ball through to Ibrahim inside the penalty box, but the 21-year-old attacker was blocked by the Galaxy backline.
The Dynamo return to league play on Sept. 16 when they host St. Louis CITY SC for Kick Childhood Cancer Night at Shell Energy Stadium. As part of the festivities, a Kid Captain will lead the team to the field and participate in pregame activities.
