The Houston Dynamo opened the 2017 season with a 2-1 victory over defending MLS Cup Champions Seattle Sounders FC at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Forward Erick Torres scored the first Dynamo goal of the season and his first goal for the club in the 20th minute. The forward won a free kick after he suffered a foul outside the box. Torres’ free kick beat Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei at the far post for the opening goal of the game.
Forward Romell Quioto doubled the lead in the 42nd minute with a 20-yard strike that curled inside the upper corner of the far post. The scoring opportunity began with midfielder Alex, who won the ball at midfield and found the forward in space for his first goal with the club.
Seattle prevented Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric’s 16th club shutout in the 58th minute after he deflected a shot from defender Joevin Jones. The rebound fell to forward Clint Dempsey who beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
Houston’s first scoring opportunity came in the fourth minute after a cross from Quito found forward Alberth Elis, but the forward’s shot was off target.
Seattle’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 25th minute when Jones went down the left flank. His cross skipped across the six-yard box, but forwards Jordan Morris and Dempsey were unable to make contact. Dynamo defender DaMarcus Beasley cleared the ball resulting in a Seattle corner kick.
Jones forced a save from Deric in the 50th minute with a shot to the near post. The Dynamo Academy product dove to his right to prevent Seattle’s first goal of the game.
Seattle flirted with the equalizer in 73rd minute after Jones found midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro inside the box. Lodeiro's shot went over the cross the bar to quell Seattle’s momentum.
The Dynamo will continue the 2017 season, presented by 76, on Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. CST against Columbus Crew SC at BBVA Compass Stadium. For individual and season tickets, visit HoustonDynamo.com or call 713-276-GOAL.
Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders FC
BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 20,758
March 4, 2017
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Erick Torres 1 (unassisted) 20
HOU: Romell Quioto 1 (Alex 1) 42
SEA: Clint Dempsey 1 (unassisted) 50
Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric; A.J. DeLaGarza, Adolfo Machado, Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley; Ricardo Clark © (Boniek García 70), Eric Alexander (Andrew Wenger 86), Alex; Alberth Elis (Vicente Sánchez 74), Erick Torres, Romell Quito
Unused Substitutes: Calle Brown, Dylan Remick, Jalil Anibaba, Mauro Manotas,
Total shots: 17 (Erick Torres and Romell Quioto 4); Shots on goal: 5 (Alex, Ricardo Clark, Andrew Wenger, Erick Torres and Romell Quioto tied with 1); Fouls: 9 (Albert Elis 3); Offside: 0; Corner kicks: 7 (Alex 5); Saves: 9 (Tyler Deric 9)
Seattle Sounders FC: Stefan Frei; Chad Marshall, Joevin Jones, Román Torres, Gustav Svensson (Henry Wingo 85); Cristian Roldan, Osvaldo Alonso ©; Nicolás Loidero Clint Dempsey, Álvaro Fernández (Will Bruin 76); Jordan Morris
Unused Substitutes: Harry Shipp, Oniel Fisher, Tony Alfaro, Zach Mathers, Tyler Miller
Total shots: 14 (Clint Dempsey 4); Shots on goal: 4 (Clint Dempsey 2); Fouls: 11 (Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, Jordan Morris tied with 2); Offside: 2 (Nicolas Lodeiro); Corner kicks: 9 (Nicolas Lodeiro 9); Saves: 3 (Stefan Frei 3)
Discipline:
SEA: Chad Marshall caution (unsporting behavior) 33
SEA: Román Torres caution (unsporting behavior) 67
HOU: Erick Torres caution (unsporting behavior) 81
Officials:
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Assistant Referee 1: Ian Anderson
Assistant Referee 2: Jeffrey Greeson
Fourth Official: Nima Saghafi
