Houston Dynamo come out on top over Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders

The Houston Dynamo had failed to win in their last three matches and were looking for an upset when the top team in the Western Conference in the Seattle Sounders came to BBVA Stadium Saturday evening. This Dynamo team looked different as they passed better and were active going forward which helped them in their 2-1 win over the visiting Sounders.

The Dynamo were active early and showed a high press, but the Sounders’ defense and midfield were able to keep up with the pace. On offense, Seattle showed their ability to connect well which led to some early corners for the visitors.

Despite the Sounders coming out as the sharper side, it would be the Dynamo who would get the opening goal following a free kick. Darwin Quintero stood over the ball in the 14^th minute about 35 yards from goal and he floated a ball towards Maxi Urruti. Urruti never took his eye off the ball and turned with it beautifully and beat goalkeeper Stefan Frei at the far post to make it 1-0 to the home side.

The Dynamo weren’t done doing damage in the first half with Quintero again being involved in a goal, this time as the goal scorer. Griffin Dorsey played a ball to Quintero at the top of the box. Quintero chested the ball to himself and played the ball across his defender. After getting space and faking the next defender, he was able to beat Frei in the far post to put Houston up 2-0 just six minutes after the game’s opening goal.

Seattle had a good chance to get back in the game in the 30^th minute following a foul by Teenage Hadebe at the top of the 18 yard box. Fredy Montero stepped over the ball and attempted to bend the ball into the corner, but he couldn’t get it to dip and it sailed over the crossbar.

As the half went on, the Dynamo did well to control the ball and make the Sounders chase the game. They passed quickly and accurately out of the back to transition the ball through the midfield and to the forwards to keep Seattle from committing too many numbers forward which also helped open things up to create chances.

However, the Sounders were able to pull the game back a goal before the half following a corner kick. A ball was sent in and fell to Jimmy Medranda who was back post and away from goal. After taking a touch, he set himself up for a brilliant finish to make it 2-1.

The Dynamo tried to extend their lead early into the second half with Quintero again leading the charge. In the 50^th minute a ball was crossed in and headed back across goal to Quintero who attempted a bicycle kick which struck the side crossbar. Just a few minutes later Quintero sent in a corner kick towards Sam Junqua who headed the ball at the top of the crossbar which went out for a goal kick.

Seattle had an excellent attempt to equalize in the 58^th minute with the former Dynamo player Will Bruin finding room on the wing. Bruin got his head up to look for runners and picked out Fredy Montero. Montero’s first time shot was saved by Houston goalkeeper Michael Nelson.

Houston would hit the crossbar again in the 67^th minute following a counter attack. Fafà Picault got free with space deep into Seattle’s half. Picault faked taking his defender on and played a ball wide towards Urruti who measured his shot towards the back upper 90 but it hit the post.

As the game went on Seattle increased their pressure to get an equalizer with Dynamo attacking players getting back to support the defense. This led to the Sounders winning balls in the midfield more and transitioning to offense quickly, but Houston was largely able to limit the quality of the opportunities.

The Sounders nearly leveled the game in stoppage time following a foul by Maynor Figueroa which set up a set piece at the top of the 18 yard box. João Paulo took the free kick and curled it striking the underside of the crossbar before ricocheting away and being cleared from danger.

The final whistle would blow and the Dynamo would come away with a shocking victory over the Seattle Sounders. It was a well managed game by Head Coach Tab Ramos who did well to fix the problem in the midfield which helped balance the offense and defense while keeping a quick and accurate passing game. Overall it was a deserved and entertaining game to watch especially as Seattle pushed for a goal down the stretch.

The Dynamo are back in action Wednesday October 20^th when they host the LA Galaxy at BBVA Stadium at 7:30 PM CT.

Goals:

14’ HOU: Maxi Urruti (assisted by Darwin Quintero)

20’ HOU: Darwin Quintero (assisted by Griffin Dorsey)

41’ SEA: Jimmy Medranda

Disciplinary:

54’ SEA: Xaxier Arrega (yellow card)

79’ HOU: Maynor Figueroa (yellow card)

Lineups:

Houston Dynamo (3-4-1-2): Michael Nelson; Teenage Hadebe (54’ Maynor Figueroa), Tim Parker, Zarek Valentin; Sam Junqua, Matías Vera, Adalberto Carrasquilla (63’ Darwin Cerén), Griffin Dorsey (77’ Joe Corona); Darwin Quintero; Maxi Urruti (77’ Tyler Pasher), Fafà Picault

Seattle Sounders (3-4-2-1): Stefan Frei; Abdoulaye Cissoko (63’ Nicolas Benezet), Xaxier Arreaga, Shane O’Neill (87’ Alex Roldan); Jimmy Medranda (74’ Nouhou), João Paulo, Josh Atencio, Kelyn Rowe; Cristian Roldan, Fredy Montero (74’ Léo Chú); Will Bruin