MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Drop 4-2 Result at FC Dallas

Published on September 1, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


FRISCO, TEXAS - A late Houston Dynamo rally fell short in a 4-2 defeat to FC Dallas tonight at Toyota Stadium. Second-half goals from forwards Mauro Manotas and Alberth Elis gave the visiting Dynamo a chance late, but three strikes from FC Dallas after halftime proved too much to overcome.

FC Dallas took the lead early on when forward Maxi Urruti connected with midfielder Michael Barrios in the 10th minute. Urruti received the ball outside the penalty area along the right flank and quickly played a first-touch through ball to Barrios behind the Dynamo back line. Despite the difficult angle, the Colombian international placed a right-footed shot inside the far corner of the net.

Dallas extended their lead early in the second half with a pair of goals by forward Santiago Mosquera in the 48th and 51st minute. The forward stole a ball in a scramble just outside the Dynamo penalty area and passed it into an open net; then three minutes later he was on the receiving end of a one-two combination with midfielder Victor Ulloa and slid a left-footed shot inside the right post to put the hosts up 3-0.

The Dynamo answered Dallas' third goal quickly when Manotas stole the ball from the Dallas defense and lashed a right-footed shot into the top right corner of net from 25 yards out in the 53rd minute. Manotas picked up the ball off a heavy touch from a Dallas player and quickly turned and fired home before Dallas' defense could react. It was Manotas' 16th goal of the year in all competitions, which tied him for the club single-season scoring record, and was his team-high 12th of the year in league play.

Five minutes later, Urruti drew a penalty for Dallas and defender Reto Ziegler stepped to the spot scored with a left-footed shot to the bottom left corner.

Midfielder Arturo Alvarez helped Houston pull back within two when he drew a penalty in the 70th minute, a minute after coming on as a substitute. Elis stepped to the spot after a three-minute delay and sent Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez diving the wrong way with a right-footed to the center of the goal for his 10th goal of the season.

The Dynamo created several scoring chances over the last 20 minutes, but were unable to find the back of the net a third time.

Goalkeeper Joe Willis came up with several big saves during the game, including a denial of Dallas forward Tesho Akindele on a breakaway in the 78th minute. Barrios broke free down the right wing and whipped a low centering pass to Akindele to put the Canadian international in alone on Willis, but the goalkeeper stretched his arm out to keep the ball away from the net.

Willis finished with four saves on the night. In addition to the one-on-one save against Akindele, Willis came up with a pair of big saves within seconds of one another near the half-hour mark. First, Dallas defender Santiago Mosquera tried a right-footed shot, but Willis stopped the ball with his hand. The Dynamo defense cleared the ball away but not out, and Dallas recovered it shortly after and recycled it around to the feet of forward Dominique Badji. The forward controlled the ball and took a shot that Willis got his right foot on to kick away.

The Dynamo have a break from MLS play next weekend due to a FIFA international fixture weekend, then return to the field to host the Portland Timbers on Saturday, September 15 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. That match, which will be the club's annual Noche Naranja celebration of Hispanic Heritage, is slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

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