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Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Stumbles to 2-0 Loss at Philadelphia

September 20, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


Tranquillo Barnetta scored early and added an assist as the Philadelphia Union secured a 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night at PPL Park.

The Dynamo (35 points, five games remaining) remain six points back of the Portland Timbers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Houston begins a two-game home stand at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo then host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Barnetta, a Switzerland international and veteran of three FIFA World Cups, delivered the Union a 1-0 lead in the third minute, collecting a pass from Sebastien Le Toux with a good first touch before sliding a finish past Tyler Deric for his first goal with Philadelphia.

Houston nearly equalized in the 36th minute as Kofi Sarkodie delivered a cross from the right flank and David Horst drove a header that deflected off a defender before hitting the inside of the post. The ball caromed across the front of the goal and John McCarthy reacted quickly to palm away at the goal line.

Deric made his fifth save of the first half in stoppage time, diving to his left to deny Cristian Maidana as Philadelphia set a club record with six shots on target in the first 45 minutes.

The Dynamo came out with more energy to begin the second half and came close to leveling the score in the 49th minute. Will Bruin fed Leonel Miranda with a through ball to the top of the box, but the Argentinian's shot missed wide at the near upper corner.

Bruin took his own chance three minutes later, collecting the ball 30 yards from goal, turning to create space and forcing a save from McCarthy, who parried over the crossbar for a corner kick.

The Dynamo were victimized by poor timing on Philadelphia's second goal as Boniek Garcia, playing right back after Kofi Sarkodie exited the game at halftime, was receiving treatment on his knee on the sideline as the Dynamo played down a man. The Union exploited the vacated space on Garcia's side, with Barnetta and Fabinho combining before the Brazilian drove a low cross and C.J. Sapong slid for a one-touch finish from six yards. Sapong equaled a career-high with his ninth goal of the season.

Next game: Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City - Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7:30 p.m. CT, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas

Dynamo Milestones and notes:

The loss ended Houston's six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2) against the Union, dating to September 2012.

It was Giles Barnes' 100th career start in all competitions with the Dynamo.

Sheanon Williams faced his former team for the first time and made his 150th career MLS regular season appearance.

It was David Horst's 100th career MLS regular season game.

It was Will Bruin's 165th game in all competitions with the Dynamo to pass Tally Hall for eighth on the club list.

Luis Garrido received a yellow card and will be suspended for Wednesday's game against Sporting Kansas City at Philadelphia due to yellow-card accumulation.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 20, 2015


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