Dynamo stunned at home by late Austin goal
(image via Omar Duran)
The Houston Dynamo welcomed their neighbors down I-35, Austin FC, to Shell Energy Stadium Saturday night. Houston had plenty of chances in the match but it was the vistors who snatched the three points late in the game, in a true smash and grab.
The game took on the feel of a derby from the start. Both teams went back and forth, laying some hard challenges in. Artur got the first chance of the match after 7 minutes but his shot was tamely at Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
Austin started to find their footing and starting getting forward. Sebastian Driussi headed over a cross in the 12th minute, the away side’s first attacking foray of the match. A counter in the 22nd minute set up a shot for an on-rushing Alex Ring but he blasted the shot right at Steve Clark.
Houston looked to open the scoring as the first half came to an end but couldn’t get the breakthrough. Griffin Dorsey got into the box after some good play but his shot was blocked from close range. Stuver then came up big to deny the Dynamo in first half stoppage time. The score remained 0-0 at half time.
The second half was mostly Houston on the attack as the Dynamo pushed for a goal. Griffin Dorsey and Aliyu Ibrahim both sent shots into the seats before Hector Herrera came on for his season debut in the 62nd minute. Herrera was given the captain’s armband as he took his customary spot in the center of midfield.
Herrera’s introduction gave the Dynamo more life but they still lacked the final piece to the puzzle. Amine Bassi let a volley fly from outside the box in the 67th minute that Stuver did well to turn aside. Herrera then tried from distance but again the Austin goalkeeper made the save, and the rebound was just out of the reach of Aliyu.
After all of the attacking and momentum for Houston, it was Austin who found the goal late on, in the 86th minute. A long goal kick over the top was flicked on and Emiliano Rigoni ran on to it. In alone on goal, he drove forward and placed a shot to Clark’s left, off the post and in. The traveling away supporters erupted and the Dynamo players looked completely dejected.
The Dynamo finished with nearly 2 xG but could not capitalize and were made to pay. Austin took the three points, winning 1-0, and giving Houston their second loss at Shell Energy Stadium this season.
Houston will face another Texas derby as they travel to Frisco next weekend to take on FC Dallas. That game is scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 PM. The Dynamo will surely be looking to get the taste from this loss out of their mouth as quickly as possible.
