Houston Dynamo break winless streak in dominant win over Austin FC

Houston Dynamo FC finally broke their winless streak which had extended to 16 games. They did it well by besting the visiting Austin FC in commanding fashion with a 3-0 win at BBVA Stadium. Houston looked in control for most of the game with their tactics working well on both sides of the ball.

The Dynamo got off to a great start against the visitors with Griffin Dorsey getting an early goal. Darwin Quintero did well to get into the box and shake his defender to create space for a shot, but it was pushed away by Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver. Dorsey didn’t give up on the play and was quick to get the rebound from a few yards away and put it into the net from a difficult angle with Stuver struggling with the shot.

Following the goal, the Dynamo didn’t step off the gas pedal. They were active with their pressing game which kept Austin back and reliant on the counter. This helped the Dynamo rack up their number of chances and possession in the opponents’ half. Houston was quick though with their possession as they moved it well forcing Austin to chase the game while staying back as they were able to create chances.

The Dynamo would double their lead in the 24^th minute. A long ball out of the back towards Fafà Picault had a defender take a poor touch which Picault immediately took advantage of by cutting inside and getting in front of his man. He then took his touch and curled his shot towards the lower corner of the net to put his side up 2-0.

Austin struggled to pick their chances, mostly attempting to capitalize on errant passes to counter, but the Dynamo were dominating the midfield which helped them win possession and were solid with their shape in back.

Maxi Urruti nearly added to Houston’s tally in the 37^th minute after a blocked shot and long ball out of the back saw Urruti free on goal on a long run from half field. He took his shot, but pulled it just wide.

While Austin started the second half with more energy following a pair of substitutes, it would be Fafà Picault to get the first quality chance of the half. A good ball in to the winger had him take a good chance from distance which forced a full stretch save by Austin’s goalkeeper.

Austin had a great chance in the 53^rd minute when Alexander Ring took a pass just above the 18 yard box. After he got his space, he tried his luck with a curled effort, but Dynamo goalkeeper Michael Nelson made a brilliant save to keep the score at 2-0.

A great ball in by halftime substitute Rodney Redes to Cecillio Domínguez nearly saw Austin back in the game, but Domínguez’s right footed shot was saved by Dynamo keeper Michael Nelson which ricocheted off the post. Following the save, the counter was on. Picault would end up with the ball and due to the good movement around him he was able to take the effort himself and put the ball in the net to make it 3-0 Houston.

As the game wore on the Dynamo did well to manage the fixture out. They kept numbers in the midfield rather than keep them back which limited Austin’s ability to break through and when they did the defense was up to the task of clearing it or pushing it out for a corner kick.

After 90 minutes and stoppage time the game would end with the Dynamo finally breaking their winless streak. It was an impressive performance overall where they never really slowed down. The midfield closed space very well which helped them pick out passes to transition to offense while the defense and Michael Nelson were up to the task on the other end of the field. Maybe it’s just because it’s been awhile, but this may have been their game of the season.

The Dynamo have a midweek trip to California when they go to take on the LA Galaxy on September 15^th on Wednesday at 9:30 PM CT at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Goals:

1’ HOU: Griffin Dorsey

24’ HOU: Fafà Picault

64’ HOU: Fafà Picault (assisted by Teenage Hadebe)

Disciplinary:

22’ ATX: Tomás Pochettino (yellow card)

39’ HOU: Fafà Picault (yellow card)

44’ ATX: Alexander Ring (yellow card)

51’ ATX: Sebastian Berhalter (yellow card)

52’ HOU: Adam Lundkvist (yellow card)

Lineups:

Houston Dynamo (4-1-2-3): Michael Nelson; Adam Lundkvist, Teenage Hadebe, Tim Parker, Zarek Valentin (89’ Ian Hoffman); Matías Vera; Darwin Quintero (58’ Memo Rodríguez), Joe Corona (58’ Darwin Cerén); Griffin Dorsey (76’ Ariel Lassiter), Maxi Urruti, Fafà Picault (76’ Sam Junqua)

Austin FC (4-2-3-1): Brad Stuver; Nick Lima, Jhohan Romaña, Julio Cascante, Hector Jiménez (69’ Žan Kolmanič); Alexander Ring, Diego Fagúndez (80’ Jon Gallagher); Daniel Pereira (HT’ Sebastian Berhalter), Sebastián Driussi, Tomás Pochettino (HT’ Rodney Redes); Cecillio Domínguez (69’ Moussa Djitté)