Houston Dynamo FC earned a 1-1 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park this evening.
Midfielder Matias Vera gave Houston the lead in the 40th minute with an effort from outside the box. The Quake’s backline cleared a free kick and the second ball fell to Vera outside the box. The midfielder beat the San Jose shot stopper at the bottom corner of the near post for his second goal of the season.
San Jose equalized in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the first half off a free kick from Cristian Espinoza. The ball dipped into the six-yard box and found the back of the net after Dynamo defender Zarek Valentin attempted to clear the ball.
Dynamo Academy product Memo Rodriguez gave Houston its first shot on goal in the opening minutes of the match with a left-footed effort from outside the box. Rodriguez forced a save in the 18th minute at the near post after a deft pass from midfielder Joe Corona. Defensively, the El Campo native blocked Jack Skahan’s effort in the 25th minute by lunging at the ball outside the box.
The Quakes kept the pressure on the Dynamo backline with an open play cross that found Chris Wondolowski in the 27th minute. Wondolowski’s header went out of play and the veteran forward pleaded with referee Matthew Thompson to review the play after tight defending from the Dynamo backline. Thompson replaced referee Ted Unkel after a collision with San Jose defender Nathan in the opening minutes of the game near midfield.
Dynamo defender Griffin Dorsey made his Dynamo debut today and in the 34th minute the Colorado native found forward Maxi Urruti inside the box. The Dynamo forward forced a save from the heart of the box. Urruti knocked on the door again in the final minute of first half stoppage time with an effort that went wide of the near post.
Dynamo goalkeeper Marko Maric was well positioned to save Luciano Abecasis’ effort at the near post in the 64th minute. The Dynamo shot stopper finished with two saves tonight.
The Dynamo return to BBVA Stadium on Saturday, July 31 to host USMNT goalkeeper David Ochoa and Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and the Dynamo look to claim the series after the 1-1 draw on June 26 in Utah.
