Houston Dynamo FC fell to in-state rivals FC Dallas by a final score of 2-1 at Toyota Stadium this evening.
Forward Corey Baird scored Houston’s lone goal in the final tune-up match prior to the start of the 2022 regular season next weekend. Baird’s goal cut a two-goal deficit in half, and the Dynamo nearly equalized late on but ended their preseason with a 3-2-1 mark. Houston kicks off the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 27 against Real Salt Lake at PNC Stadium.
FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira forced an own goal in the fifth minute to give the local side the lead. Jáder Obrian dribbled into the box and found Ferreira at the near post, the forward’s effort gave Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark little chance before deflecting off a Dynamo defender and into the net.
FC Dallas doubled their lead in the 57th minute after Paul Arriola won a ball near the touchline. The defender played the ball to Paxton Pomykal, who finished at the far post.
Houston’s goal came after forward Fafà Picault raced up the left wing while evading a Dallas defender. Picault then crossed the ball into the box, where it found Baird, who headed the ball home to put the Dynamo on the board.
Dynamo midfielder Memo Rodriguez generated one of Houston’s best opportunities of the first half with his pass to Baird at the top of the box in the 28th minute. Baird’s effort just went over the crossbar and out of play.
Houston’s final opportunity of the first half came off defender Daniel Steres’ right foot when he forced Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes out of the box to head the ball away from an oncoming Baird.
The Dynamo nearly tied the game up in the 86th minute, after defender Griffin Dorsey generated a free kick from distance. Midfielder Darwin Quintero took the free kick and curled a pass into a dangerous area in front of the goal, where defender Teenage Hadebe got his head on the ball. Hadebe’s shot went just wide of the net, and the Dynamo remained down one goal.
Houston begins its 2022 regular season campaign on Opening Day presented by PNC Bank when they host Real Salt Lake on Sunday, Feb. 27. Kickoff for that match is set for 6 p.m. CST.
