![Houston Dynamo FC](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/mls_houston_dynamo20-200.png)
Dynamo Open the Regular Season with 2-1 Loss in Cincinnati
February 25, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release
CINCINNATI - Houston Dynamo FC opened the 2023 season with a 2-1 loss to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium this evening.
Cincinnati forward Sergio Santos had the first shot of the game in the 16th minute off a cross from Álvaro Barreal. The duo would find each other again three minutes later and Santos beat the Dynamo goalkeeper at the near post for the first goal of the game.
Defender Tate Schmitt scored the equalizer in first half stoppage time off a corner kick from captain Héctor Herrera. Schmitt joined the Dynamo on trial this preseason and signed a contract with the team on Feb. 17.
Cincinnati regained the lead in the 48th minute after Obinna Nwobodo capitalized on a second ball inside the box, his effort was deflected by a Dynamo defender but ultimately crossed the goal line.
Dynamo defender Franco Escobar denied a right-footed effort from Barreal three minutes after the opening goal at the edge of the box. Franco is one of four players to earn their first start with the Dynamo this evening. The outside back won possession eight times this evening and won four duels.
Midfielder Coco Carrasquilla forced a save in the 25th minute after dribbling toward the top of the box, but his effort was handled by goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Carrasquilla enters his second full season with the Dynamo and entered the game with 42 appearances for the club, the most of any starter on the field.
Carrasquilla won a corner kick in the 29th minute and the ball was initially recycled by defender Ethan Bartlow but eventually cleared by the Cincinnati backline.
Dynamo forward Ivan Franco forced a save in the 31st minute with an effort from the edge of the six-yard box. The Paraguayan playmaker controlled a rebound after his initial effort bounced off a Cincinnati defender that was eventually not ruled a handball by the video assistant referee.
Houston generated two opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the first half, first a second ball that fell to Herrera. Three minutes later Sebas Ferreira had his first shot of the game.
Carrasquilla generated one of Houston's most dangerous opportunities in the second half when he found Franco in space outside the box. The Cincinnati backline cleared the ball, which fell to Carrasquilla at the top of the box, but his effort just missed the inside of the far post.
The Cincinnati backline was tested again in the ensuing sequence as Houston generated pressure in the final third. Franco forced a save in the 66th minute after tidy dribbling inside the box to create space for a shot.
Herrera won a free kick outside the box in the 74th minute and the ensuing shot just missed the inside corner of the near post. Thor Úlfarsson entered the game two minutes later and won a free kick after his half volley was deflected by a Cincinnati defender.
The Dynamo close the two-game road trip to open the 2023 season next Saturday at Gillette Stadium against the New England Revolution. That match will be available for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The game will also air in English on ESPN 97.5 and in Spanish on TUDN Radio Houston 93.3 FM.
Houston will unveil the newly renovated Shell Energy Stadium in March when they host their home opener on March 18. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDynamoFC.com.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
Major League Soccer Stories from February 25, 2023
- Brown Scores, but RSL Come Back at BC Place - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Real Salt Lake Earns 2-1 Victory in Season Opener - Real Salt Lake
- FC Cincinnati Begin 2023 Season with 2-1 Win Over Houston Dynamo FCÃâà- FC Cincinnati
- St. Louis CITY SC Come from Behind to Earn Huge 2-3 Win Over Austin FC in 2023 MLS Debut at Q2 Stadium - St. Louis City SC
- MNUFC's Mender Garcia Scores Lone Goal in Season Opening Victory Against FC Dallas - Minnesota United FC
- Dynamo Open the Regular Season with 2-1 Loss in Cincinnati - Houston Dynamo FC
- Austin FC Falls to St. Louis City Sc - Austin FC
- Inter Miami CF Claims 2-0 Victory Over CF Montréal to Open 2023 Season - Inter Miami CF
- Atlanta United Wins 2-1 vs. San Jose Earthquakes in Season Opener - Atlanta United FC
- FC Dallas Falls to Minnesota United FC in 2023 Season Opener - FC Dallas
- Orlando City Remains Unbeaten in Season Openers, Takes 1-0 Shutout Victory Over New York Red Bulls - Orlando City SC
- Union Win Season Opener; Carranza, Gazdag Record Braces - Philadelphia Union
- Atlanta United FC Slips Past Earthquakes - San Jose Earthquakes
- Inter Miami CF Claims 2-0 Victory over CF Montréal to Open 2023 Season - Inter Miami CF
- CF Montréal Falls to Inter Miami CF - Club de Foot Montreal
- D.C. United Win 3-2 against Toronto FC at Audi Field - D.C. United
- D.C. United (3) - Toronto FC (2) Postgame Summary - Toronto FC
- Revolution Open 2023 MLS Season with 1-0 Win at Charlotte FC - New England Revolution
- Revolution Open 2022 MLS Season with 1-0 Win at Charlotte FC - New England Revolution
- New York Red Bulls Fall to Orlando City SC 1-0 in Season Opener - New York Red Bulls
- Full Time: End-To-End Action Results in a Tight Loss in Charlotte FC's Season Opener Against the New England Revolution. - Charlotte FC
- Walker Zimmerman Scores Game-Winning Goal as Nashville SC Opens 2023 Season with 2-0 a Victory - Nashville SC
- Walker Zimmerman Scores Game-Winning Goal as Nashville SC Opens 2023 Season with a Victory - Nashville SC
- Rapids Kick off 2023 Season on Sunday in Seattle - Colorado Rapids
- NYCFC Opens Season with 2-0 Setback to Nashville SC - New York City FC
- Timbers Sign Free Agent Defender Eric Miller - Portland Timbers
- Colorado Rapids Announce Contract Extensions to Technical Staff - Colorado Rapids
- Earthquakes Open 2023 MLS Season against Atlanta United FC Today - San Jose Earthquakes
- Nashville Soccer Club Introduces 104.5 The Zone as Official Radio Partner for the 2023 Season - Nashville SC
- MNUFC Announces Roster for 2023 Season Opener - Minnesota United FC
- Houston Dynamo FC Announce Local Radio Broadcast Details for 2023 Season - Houston Dynamo FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Houston Dynamo FC Stories
- Houston Dynamo FC Fall 1-0 to Toronto FC in Return to MLS Play
- Houston Dynamo FC Sign Honduran National Team Attacker Exon Arzú on Full Transfer from Real C.D. España
- Houston Dynamo FC Fall on Penalties to Deportivo Toluca FC in Leagues Cup Round of 32
- Houston Dynamo FC Host Deportivo Toluca FC in Leagues Cup Round of 32
- Kickoff Time Announced for Houston Dynamo FC's Leagues Cup Round of 32 Match Versus Deportivo Toluca FC
![Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/sc_400w_tag.png)
![OurSports Central](https://www.oursportscentral.com/assets/img/footer-logo-latest.png)