Houston Dynamo FC bowed out of the Leagues Cup tonight after falling to Charlotte FC 2-1 in the Round of 16 at Shell Energy Stadium.
The Dynamo took the lead in the 10th minute following a one-touch finish from forward Corey Baird, his eighth goal of the year across all competitions. Defender Griffin Dorsey began the play with a tantalizing run that began at midfield and found forward Nelson Quiñónes unmarked at the endline. The Colombian forward played the ball to Baird at the far post for the one-touch finish at the near post.
Charlotte equalized in the 80th minute when Patrick Agyemang received a direct ball from over the top from Jaylin Lindsey and beat a charging Steve Clark to roll the ball into an empty net and tie the game at one goal apiece.
Charlotte took the lead the lead one minute later after defender Micael passed a ball back to Clark with a miscommunication leading to the ball in the back of the net.
Dorsey found forward Amine Bassi making a run into the box, the 25-year-old played a ball to midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla in the 25th minute, but his effort just missed the inside corner of the near post.
Clark was called into action in first half stoppage time following a first-time effort from Swiderski. The ball bounced into the path of Brandt Bronico, who poked the ball toward the far post. Clark denied the effort and the ball was cleared by the Dynamo backline.
Dynamo captain Héctor Herrera found Micael on a set piece in the 63rd minute that nearly doubled Houston’s lead. The Brazilian defender played the ball back to Bassi, but his effort was cleared by a Charlotte defender.
Clark made a point-blank save in the 54th minute following a half-volley from Vargas inside the penalty area. The Dynamo goalkeeper finished with four saves against Charlotte.
Houston almost equalized in the 82nd minute when forward Aliyu Ibrahim found himself in on goal from the right side after midfielder Griffin Dorsey found him running to the right side of the box. The 22-year-old’s shot rolled just wide of the far post.
Dorsey was brought down a minute later running up the right wing. Herrera’s delivered a dangerous ball on the ensuing free kick, but Ibrahim’s shot was corralled by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
The Dynamo resume league play on Sunday, August 20 when they host the Portland Timbers at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston also hosts the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup versus Real Salt Lake on Aug. 23
