MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Remain Unbeaten at Desert Diamond Cup with 3-1 Victory

Published on February 18, 2017 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


TUCSON, ARIZONA- The Houston Dynamo continued their participation in the Desert Diamond Cup with a victory against New York City FC, 3-1.

The Dynamo struck first and early. In the second minute, MF Juan David Cabezas won a ball near midfield and found FW Erick Torres on the right side. The forward found FW Romell Quioto coming in the middle of box and the striker took a first-touch shot to beat NYCFC's GK Sean Johnson at the right post.

In the 15th minute, NYCFC's defense cleared a corner kick and started a counter attack to equalize the score. FW Jack Harrison got a pass from midfield and pressed to the final third before laying the ball off to FW David Villa on the right side. Villa took a touch and put the ball inside the far post to tie the game.

In the 38th minute, referee Nima Saghafi called for a video assisted review after issuing a yellow card to Villa for unsporting behavior. After reviewing the video, Saghafi changed the yellow card to a red card. This was the first time that video assisted review was used at a Dynamo game. The system is being used on a trial basis during the preseason.

In the 50th minute, MF Alex controlled a high ball and swiftly turned past a defender to create space inside the penalty area. He took a touch and slipped a low-left footed shot past Johnson to put the Dynamo ahead 2-1.

DF DaMarcus Beasley made his preseason debut in the 63rd minute as a substitute. Three minutes later the left back took a pass from FW Mauro Manotas inside the box, but Beasley's shot was deflected by a defender resulting in a corner kick.

Houston made eight substitutions in the 71st minute including FW TJ Casner who tested NYCFC GK Andre Rawls with a volley in the 81st minute.

The final goal of the game came in the 89th minute after DF Kevin Garcia won a tackle in midfield and MF Memo Rodriguez recovered the ball, then found Casner along the right flank. His cross was intercepted by an NYCFC defender, but the ball fell to Rodriguez inside the six-yard box for his first goal of the preseason.

The Dynamo are now 2-0-0 in the Desert Diamond Cup. They return to training on Monday and Tuesday before facing off against New York Red Bull on Saturday night in Tucson.

New York City FC vs. Houston Dynamo Desert Diamond Cup

February 18, 2017 - Tucson, Arizona

Scoring Summary:

HOU: Romell Quioto 1 (Erick Torres 1) 2 NYCFC: David Villa (Jack Harrison) 15 HOU: Alex 2 (unassisted) 50

HOU: Memo Rodriguez 1 (unassisted) 89

New York City FC: Sean Johnson (Andre Rawls 60); Ben Sweat (Shannon Gomez 46), Maxime Chanot, Frederic Brilliant, RJ Allen; Andrea Pirlo, James Sands (Kwame Awuah 74), Maxi Moralez (Jalen Brown 46); Tommy McNamara, David Villa©, Jack Harrison

Unused Substitutes: Ethan White, Shannon Gomez, John Stertzer, Khiry Shelton, Sean Okoli

Total shots: 3; Shots on goal: 3; Fouls: 10; Offside: 1; Corner kicks: 1; Saves: 3

Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric (Calle Brown 71); A.J. DeLaGarza (Jalil Anibaba 71), Adolfo Machado (Taylor Hunter 71), Leonardo (Kevin Garcia 71), Dylan Remick (DaMarcus Beasley 63); Ricardo Clark© (Eric Alexander 63), Juan David Cabezas (Emilio Garcia 71), Alex (Memo Rodriguez 71); Alberth Elis (Josè Escalante, 71), Erick Torres (Mauro Manotas 63), Romell Quioto (T.J. Casner 71)

Total shots: 15; Shots on goal: 9; Fouls: 14; Offside: 2; Corner kicks: 7; Saves: 2

Discipline:

HOU: Juan David Cabezas caution (reckless challenge) 30

HOU: Leonardo caution (dissent) 30

NYCFC: David Villa ejection (unsporting behavior) 38 NYCFC: Ben Sweat caution (reckless challenge) 44 NYCFC: Shannon Gomez caution (unsporting behavior) 69

OFFICIALS

Referee: Nima Saghafi

Assistant Referee 1: Claudia Badea

Assistant Referee 2: Logan Brown

Fourth Official: Kevin Scott

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