HOUSTON (May 4, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC played St. Louis CITY SC to a scoreless draw at Shell Energy Stadium tonight, earning their third clean sheet of the season.
The Dynamo also managed 22 shots on the night, a new season high for the team.
Houston had the first shot on target in the eighth minute when forward Aliyu Ibrahim cut inside to create his own space for a low shot inside the near post, but goalkeeper Roman Buerki managed to corral the attempt.
Goalkeeper Steve Clark was called into action in the 25th minute, pushing Tomas Totland’s shot behind goal after he found space in the penalty box. The play marked the first of three saves for Clark on the night.
Midfielder Artur came up with a big block in the 30th minute to help save a goal after St. Louis quickly found themselves dangerous attacking position.
The Dynamo almost opened scoring in the 37th minute when forward Amine Bassi chipped a ball to captain Héctor Herrera on the edge of the six-yard box, but the midfielder’s back heel attempt was not strong enough to beat Buerki.
Herrera made his first start of the season tonight after making substitute appearances in Houston’s previous two matches, returning to the pitch after a knee injury that had sidelined him for the start of the season.
CITY’s Celio Pompeu took his chances from the box in the 38th minute, but Clark was aware of the danger and secured the attempt with both hands.
Defender Daniel Steres hit the woodwork in the 44th minute with a strong header from a corner kick opportunity.
Defender Erik Sviatchenko managed a shot in the 64th minute after fellow defender Tate Schmitt side footed a ball to the 32-year-old, but his low shot to the bottom right corner was stopped by Buerki.
Minutes later, Bassi took his chances from deep, but an awkward bounce in the six-yard box was not good enough to find the back of the net.
Ibrahim’s shot from the left side of the box carried just over the crossbar in the 70th minute.
Midfielder Latif Blessing, who entered the match after halftime, also managed a strong shot that carried just over the crossbar in the 80th, followed by a another near miss by Steres moments later that was tipped over the bar by Buerki.
The Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium on Tuesday, May 7 to kick off their U.S. Open Cup title defense, hosting USL Championship side Detroit City FC in the Round of 32. Tickets for that match are available HERE.
