March 2, 2024, Houston Houston Dynamo FC’s nine-game home unbeaten streak in Major League Soccer (MLS) dating back to July 2023 came to an end tonight at Shell Energy Stadium** as the team lost 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls. Head coach Ben Olsen was the coach during that run.
Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla, a midfielder, altered plays and found striker Aliyu Ibrahim at the edge of the box to give Houston the lead in the seventh minute. Ibrahim was given a one-on-one opportunity after a Red Bulls defender lost his footing while attempting to clear the ball. The striker scored his first goal of the year at the far post. In the past three games, the 22-year-old has now recorded one goal and two assists.
Dante Vanzeir’s pass to Elias Manoel at the back post gave the Red Bulls the equaliser in the 43rd minute.
Lewis Morgan took advantage of a mistake on Houston’s half of the field to give New York the lead in the 59th minute. The midfielder beat Dynamo keeper Steve Clark at the near post after dribbling to the top of the area.
After the Dynamo gave up a free kick well outside the area in the 20th minute, the visiting had their first opportunity of the match. The subsequent free kick was taken by Emil Forsberg, but it struck the crossbar.
Forward Gabe Segal tested his luck with a long-range effort in the 27th minute, but his shot just missed the outside of the near post. Midfielder Artur and Carrasquilla created space for the forward to shoot from distance.
Clark was called into action in the 28th minute when he denied Daniel Edelman’s header at the near post. The Dynamo goalkeeper finished with three saves.
Houston nearly scored the equalizer in the 61st minute after the Red Bulls backline attempted to clear a cross from defender Griffin Dorsey. The ball bounced off two Red Bulls defenders prior to falling to Sebastian Kowalczyk, but his effort bounced off the far post. Ultimately, the Dynamo midfielder was called offside.
In the sixty-third minute, a Red Bulls defender pulled down Carrasquilla, causing a brawl between the two teams that resulted in a yellow card for Red Bulls defender Frankie Amaya and Dorsey. After receiving the subsequent free kick, Kowalczyk found defender Erik Sviatchenko, but his header missed the mark.
In the 89th minute, Houston came dangerously close to equalising when striker Amine Bassi sent the ball into the box from a distance to the head of a charging Dorsey. The defender’s effort prompted Red Bulls goalie Carlos Coronel to make a quick reflex stop.
After two minutes, Carrasquilla made a move to create his own space by cutting back just outside the box. His shot just missed the far post.
On Wednesday, March 6, at Shell Energy Stadium, the Dynamo will play the Columbus Crew, the reigning MLS Cup champions, in the opening leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT. The second match will take place in Columbus on Tuesday, March 12. You can get tickets for the first leg HERE.
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