Houston Dynamo FC lost to in-state rival Austin FC at Q2 stadium by a final score of 2-1. With the loss, the Dynamo fall to 1-2-0 in the inaugural installation of this season series.
Austin opened the scoring when winger Cecilio Dominguez drew a penalty kick from a foul by defender* Zarek Valentin* in the sixth minute. A minute later, Dominguez’s penalty shot ricocheted off of the left post, to the right post before hitting the back of goalkeeper Marko Marić and going into the net for a 1-0 Austin lead.
Marić was making his first start for the Dynamo since the 2-2 draw with FC Dallas on Aug. 21 and finished the afternoon with five saves.
Austin’s second goal came in the fourth minute of added time in the first half, when midfielder Alexander Ring found midfielder Sebastián Driussi in an attacking position just outside of the 18-yard-box. Driussi fired a low shot into the corner of the net to give Austin a 2-0 lead at the break.
The Dynamo pulled a goal back in the second minute of stoppage time in the second half. Forward Ari Lassiter raced up the right wing and crossed the ball in front of the Austin goal. The ball bounced off two Austin defenders and into the back of the net to cut the deficit to one goal. The own goal was credited to Julio Cascante.
Houston had a pair of corner kicks in the waning moments with an opportunity to earn a point, but Austin was able to fend off both corners before referee Tim Ford blew the whistle for full time.
Houston’s next game is on October 31 against the Colorado Rapids at 2:00 p.m. central time. This match is the final contest at home on the season for the Dynamo. For tickets, visit www.houstondynamofc.com/tickets/.
