The Houston Dynamo earned their fourth consecutive home victory with a 2-0 defeat of the Colorado Rapids Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium. A pair of goals in a six-minute span in the first half proved to be enough for the Dynamo to earn the full three points.
Midfielder Tomás MartÃnez put the home side ahead right on the half hour mark through a dazzling solo effort. The Argentinean stole the ball away from Colorado defender Johan Blomberg at the edge of the penalty area and dribbled through several Rapids defenders. MartÃnez took a left-footed shot that was saved by goalkeeper Tim Howard but the deflection fell right MartÃnez, who then buried a right-footed shot for his fourth goal of the season.
Six minutes later, forward Romell Quioto played a through ball to defender DaMarcus Beasley behind the Rapids back line which forced Blomberg to take Beasley down in the box, earning a penalty kick for the Dynamo. Forward Mauro Manotas stepped to the spot and sent Howard diving the wrong way before firing a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the net for his sixth of the season.
On the stroke of halftime, the Dynamo saw their advantage grow as Colorado forward Yannick Boli was sent off after his elbow caught Houston defender Leonardo in the face as the two challenged for the ball. Up a man for the entirety of the second half, the Dynamo controlled the majority possession and continued to create chances, though Howard – along with the woodwork – stood tall to keep the hosts from further extending the lead.
In the 57th minute, defender Adam Lundkvist, who came on after just 25 minutes for Andrew Wenger,sent a cross from the right side to the middle of the box. After forward Alberth Elis got an initial touch on the ball, MartÃnez came in to take a shot, but the Rapids defense intervened to keep it out.
In the 77th, Quioto cut in on his right foot from the left flank and fired a speculative shot from distance that had Howard beaten, but cracked off the crossbar and out of danger. Manotas banged a shot off the woodwork 10 minutes later, again shooting from distance, with his shot caroming off the left post.
Next up for the Dynamo, they continue their 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup campaign when they return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Monday, June 18 against Minnesota United FC at 7:30 p.m. CDT for a Round of 16 match. The Dynamo have a 14-day break from league play as the 2018 FIFA World Cup begins this week before returning on June 23 at Sporting Kansas City.
Houston Dynamo (6-5-3; 21 pts.) 2-0 Colorado Rapids (2-9-2; 8 pts.)
MLS Regular Season Week 15
Saturday, June 9, 2018 – BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 16,058
SCORING SUMMARY:
HOU: Tomás MartÃnez 4 (unassisted) 30
HOU: Mauro Manotas 6 (penalty kick) 36
LINEUPS:
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis; Andrew Wenger (Adam Lundkvist 25), Alejandro Fuenmayor (Philippe Senderos 69), Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley (C); Eric Alexander, Tomás MartÃnez, Boniek GarcÃa (Memo Rodriguez 63); Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto
Unused subs: Chris Seitz, Arturo Alvarez, Eric Bird, Luis Gil
Total shots: 20 (Tomás MartÃnez, Romell Quioto 4); Shots on goal: 8 (Alberth Elis 3); Fouls: 17 (Leonardo 4); Offside: 0; Corner kicks: 11 (Adam Lundkvist, Tomás MartÃnez 4); Saves: 1 (Joe Willis 1)
Colorado Rapids: Tim Howard (C); Johan Blomberg (Bismark Adjei-Boateng 69), Danny Wilson, Tommy Smith, Deklan Wynne; Jack Price, Michael Ariza; Marlon Hairston (Jack McBean 79), Joe Mason (Enzo Martinez 62), Sam Nicholson; Yannick Boli
Unused subs: Zac MacMath, Kip Colvey, Sam Hamilton, Dillon Serna
Total shots: 2 (Bismark Boateng, Jack Price 1); Shots on goal: 1 (Jack Price 1); Fouls: 8 (Johan Blomberg, Yannick Boli 2); Offside: 3 (Marlon Hairston, Sam Nicholson, Tommy Smith 1); Corner kicks: 0; Saves: 6 (Tim Howard 6)
DISCIPLINE:
COL: Yannick Boli (ejection; violent conduct) 45+4
COL: Deklan Wynne (caution; foul) 55
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referee 1: Peter Manikwoski
Assistant Referee 2: Danny Thronberry
Fourth Official: Elvis Osmanovic
VAR: David Barrie
