Houston Dynamo FC defender Franco Escobar was named a starter for MLSSoccer.com Team of Matchday roster for Matchday 27, the league announced today. Forward Corey Baird and midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla were also named to the roster after Houston defeated the Portland Timbers 5-0 at Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday.
During Houston’s resurgent season, the Dynamo now boast an 11-3-3 record at home in all competitions this year and currently sit inside the MLS Playoff line in sixth in the Western Conference.
Escobar scored his second goal of the season in the final moments of the first half following a one-two play with Baird. Escobar began the play with a run at midfield and finished the play with a chipped shot for his second goal of the season. The Argentinian also won possession eight times, while winning all three of his tackles and finding success on three of five duels.
Along with assisting on Escobar’s goal, Baird scored his fourth goal of the season in the 14th minute after captain Héctor Herrera played a ball to Carrasquilla in front of the Timbers’ backline. The Panamanian international found forward Baird in space outside the box, and the attacker dribbled around the goalkeeper and chipped the Timbers’ shot stopper.
Three minutes before assisting on Baird’s goal, Carraquilla created another scoring opportunity for forward Nelson Quiñónes after crossing a ball that was brought down by Herrera. The ball fell to Quiñónes outside the six-yard box for a one-touch finish and his second goal of the season.
Nine Houston players have now been named to the Team of the Matchday this season, including Escobar (Matchday 7, 18 and 27), Baird (Matchday 27), Carrasquilla (Matchday 27), Herrera (Matchday 4, 15, 18, 20 and 24), goalkeeper Steve Clark (Matchday 11), defender Daniel Steres (Matchday 9), forward Amine Bassi (Matchday 7), forward Thor Úlfarsson (Matchday 20) and midfielder Artur (Matchday 5).
The Dynamo next host Real Salt Lake in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at Shell Energy Stadium, with kickoff schedule for 8:30 p.m. CT.
