Houston Dynamo FC close the week against Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 8 p.m. CDT.
The Dynamo return to action after they defeated Los Angeles Football Club on Wednesday at PNC Stadium. This was the first victory in the all-time series for the Dynamo and the three points were secured after defender Griffin Dorsey unleased a left-footed effort from the edge of the box that curled past the goalkeeper into the top corner of the far post. That was Dorsey’s third goal for the Dynamo and his first of the season. Dorsey has contributed goals in back-to-back games following his assist on Corey Baird’s goal in Minnesota on Aug. 27.
Forward Sebas Ferreira opened the scoring for the Dynamo in the first half after Houston was awarded a penalty kick. Dorsey won the penalty kick after his shot was blocked by the arm of a LAFC defender inside the box. Ferreira converted the penalty kick for his 10th goal of the season and third in his last four games.
Defensively, defender Tim Parker and goalkeeper Steve Clark finished with key contributions to secure Houston’s eighth victory of the season. Parker finished with 11 clearances on Wednesday and none more crucial than his sliding effort in the second half to deny Gareth Bale. The Welsh international was also denied by Clark twice in the second half and the Dynamo goalkeeper finished with six saves against LAFC.
The Dynamo look to split the series after they fell 1-0 to Seattle on May 18. The loss on May 18 was the third time Houston was held scoreless at home and the Dynamo responded with a 3-0 victory on the road against the LA Galaxy the following week.
The Dynamo return to PNC Stadium on Sept. 10 for the start of Soccer Kicks Cancer Weekend. Festivities include players wearing jerseys or warm-up tops featuring the names of pediatric cancer patients, yellow goal nets and corner flags, and a variety of fundraising initiatives. For additional information visit, HoustonDynamoFC.com/Charities.
Here are three key points ahead of Sunday’s game:
- DYNAMO VICTORY BRINGS TOTW HONORS: Houston’s victory on Wednesday paved the way for three players and head coach Paulo Nagamura to earn MLSSoccer.com Team of the Week honors. Coco Carrasquilla and Steve Clark made the starting lineup after their performance at PNC Stadium. Tim Parker was named to the bench and Nagamura became the fourth first-year head coach to win the award this season. Carrasquilla created five chances against LAFC and tallied an assist on Griffin Dorsey’s goal. Defensively, Parker finished with 11 clearances and Clark earned Man of the Match honors after finishing with six saves.
- FERREIRA REACHES MILESTONE: Sebastian Ferreira’s goal on Wednesday was the Paraguayan's third in his last four games, it also puts him within one goal of matching the Club record for goals by a first-year player. The mark was first set by Brian Ching and Dwayne De Rosario in 2006, with forward Fafa Picault matching it in 2021. Ferreira is also the second youngest player to score double-digit goals in his first season with the team.
- SEATTLE RETURNS FROM CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP: Seattle return to Lumen Field after a 3-2 loss to Orlando City SC in central Florida. Albert Rusnak gave Seattle the lead midway through the first half and the Sounders doubled their lead minutes into the beginning of the second half. Orlando forced five saves and ultimately scored three unanswered goals to earn their 12th victory of the season. Seattle looks to bounce back after their fourth loss in their last five games. The Sounders have earned one point since their last triumph, a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas on Aug. 2.
