Playoff Hopes Hit as Dynamo Collapse Late in Colorado
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo knew Saturday night’s match on the road against the Colorado Rapids was one they needed to win. Both teams were fighting for valuable points in the Western Conference playoff race with the season beginning to wind down.
Midfielders Jack McGlynn and Brooklyn Raines returned from international duty and gave the Dynamo what many would consider their strongest starting eleven. Erik Sviatchenko partnered Antonio Carlos in the center of the Houston defense.
The home side got on the board early to get a foot out in front. Dynamo captain Artur committed a foul at the top of the Houston box, setting up a dangerous set piece. Rafael Santos pulled the ball back and Cole Bassett curled his shot around thw wall and past Jonathan Bond to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead after just 10 minutes.
Colorado continued to get some decent looks but Antonio Carlos stepped up on multiple occasions to keep the score at just 1-0. The Dynamo’s best chance of the half came in the the 30th minute when Felipe Andrade put a cross into the box. Ezequiel Ponce rose to get his head on the ball but he flicked his shot wide.
As the second half began, Antonio Carlos was not on the field. Pablo Ortiz replaced the Brazilian defender who had such a good first half. The Dynamo knew they needed goals to get themselves valuable points and they pushed on the attack. A McGlynn set piece into the box in the 51st minute was somehow scrambled away by the Colorado defense.
More chances came for Houston as the half continued. McGlynn found the head of Ondrej Lingr in the 58th minute but he couldn’t keep his effort on target. It was then McGlynn who had a chance of his own in the 65th minute after a pass from Ponce but he was only able to hit the outside of the post.
The Dynamo pressure paid off as they found the equalizer in the 68th minute. Lawrence Ennali did well to get space on the end line and get free from defender Reggie Cannon. The German winger floated a ball over the reach of Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen for McGlynn to tap in at the back post to make the game 1-1.
Both teams battled to find a winner and help improve their playoff chances. Colorado pressed forward in the final 5 minutes with a couple of chances. A Sam Vines shot from distance forced a diving save out of Bond in the 89th minute. Colorado’s last big chances came in the six minutes of stoppage time when Bond came up big again, this time to deny Ted Ku-DiPietro and Rob Holding.
When it looked like the game would end in a draw the Rapids fired a last gasp corner kick into the box. Paxten Aaronson got in front of his man and his header was deflected and angled to the back post and in to give Colorado the 2-1 win. For the second week in a row, the Dynamo conceded at the death, this time to bring forth even more heartbreak. To pour salt on the wound, Houston captain Artur was sent off after picking up a second yellow right as full time was blown.
The loss leaves the Dynamo with a mountain to climb to try and get into the playoffs. They only have themselves to blame and will now almost have to win every match the rest of the way. The Dynamo will return to Shell Energy Stadium next weekend to host the Portland Timbers in another match with huge playoff implications.
