Houston Dynamo FC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 4-1 at Shell Energy Stadium tonight to jump the ‘Quakes in the Western Conference standings and earn the club’s third consecutive league win, a first for the team time since September 5, 2020.
Today’s match was paused for 2 hours and 15 minutes in the 62nd minute of the game due to inclement weather in the area.
Houston took the lead in the third minute after forward Amine Bassi forced a turnover inside the box. The 25-year-old was left one-on-one with San Jose goalkeeper Daniel De Sousa Brita, and Bassi finished for his eighth goal of the season. This was the fastest goal of the campaign for the team and Houston has now won all eight matches when scoring the first goal at home this year
The Dynamo doubled their lead minutes later when Bassi played a ball to Dynamo forward Nelson Quiñónes. The 20-year-old played a cross into the heart of the box that found an unmarked Corey Baird for his third goal of the season.
The Earthquakes pulled a goal back in the 41st minute after Cristian Espinoza’s free kick found Carlos Akapo at the near post. That was the third goal the team conceded in league play at home, the fewest allowed in the Western Conference this season.
Houston netted their third goal of the night in the 77th minute when captain Héctor Herrera laid the ball off to Thor Úlfarsson from the top of the box. The Icelandic forward hit the ball first touch with his left foot into the far corner of the net for his second goal of the season.
Úlfarsson completed his first career brace in the 89th minute after Herrera played the ball into the middle of the box from the right side. The 22-year-old once again hit the ball first time, bouncing into the back of the net off the left post.
Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko nearly scored his first goal of the season in the 31stminute off a free kick delivery from Herrera. Sviatchenko’s header bounced off the far post and Micael’s follow up went over the crossbar.
Dynamo forward Aliyu Ibrahim was able to find space behind the ‘Quakes backline in the 45th minute, but his effort went wide of the near post.
Bassi played a ball into the box from the right wing in the 55th minute that found Ibrahim racing the goalkeeper to the ball in the middle of the box. The Nigerian managed to win the foot race, but a tight angle from the left side of the six-yard box saw his shot go wide.
Houston’s first opportunity after play resumed came off a pass from midfielder Artur. The Brazilian found Bassi near the penalty for a one-touch shot that was saved by the ‘Quakes goalkeeper.
The Dynamo are back in action on Saturday, June 24 when they travel to face in-state rivals Austin FC at Q2 Stadium for the third time this season with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
