Houston Dynamo FC found victory over Austin FC for the second time this season, defeating the in-state rivals 2-1 with an 88th-minute game-winning goal at Shell Energy Stadium.
Forward Iván Franco’s first goal for Houston secured the fifth victory of the season and eighth of the year. The 23-year-old found the back of the net from a Héctor Herrera corner delivery that was flicked toward the goal by defender Daniel Steres.
Austin took the lead in the 22nd minute when defender Nick Lima found forward Gyasi Zardes at the edge of the six-yard box. Zardes’ header beat the Dynamo shot stopper at the near post. This was the first goal allowed in the first half at Shell Energy Stadium by the Dynamo and only the second allowed in 800 minutes of competitive play.
The Dynamo scored the equalizer in the 37th minute following a recovery near midfield from Artur. The ball was played into the final third for Aliyu Ibrahim and he found Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla near the penalty spot. Carrasquilla’s effort was blocked but the second ball fell to Herrera for his third goal of the season.
The Dynamo had the first shot of the evening in the opening seconds of the match following a first-time effort from Herrera. His shot was blocked and eventually cleared by the Austin backline. Herrera led the team with four shots on target.
Herrera found Ibrahim inside the box in the 20th minute, but his first touch was too close to the endline to threaten Austin’s goal. That was one of two chances created by the Mexican international.
Houston responded to the opening goal with a chance in the final third when Carrasquilla threaded a ball to forward Corey Baird at the top of the penalty box in the 24th minute. Baird turned for a quick shot and just missed the inside of the left post. Carrasquilla finished with two chances created against Austin.
Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark was called into action in the 42nd minute when he denied Daniel Pereira at the near post. Clark finished with two saves against Austin FC tonight.
Herrera forced a save in the 59th minute after he brought down a clearance just outside the penalty area. The midfielder ended with four shots on target in tonight’s match.
Forward Thor Úlfarsson got himself into a dangerous attacking position in the 79th minute after forward Amine Bassi found him to the left of the six-yard box. Úlfarsson’s shot sliced across the face of goal and was corralled by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
The Dynamo are back in action on Wednesday, May 31 when they travel to Canada to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC with kickoff at BC Place scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.
