The Houston Dynamo dropped a 2-0 decision to Toronto FC at BMO Field tonight, falling to 4-3-1 on the season. Toronto forward Jozy Altidore powered the home side to victory with a brace in the first half.
The Reds opened the scoring in the 16th minute when midfielder Marco Delgado found Raheem Edwards on the left side of the box and Edwards sent a low ball to the center of the box. Altidore connected with the ball and sent it to the back of the net.
Altidore pushed Toronto out front by two goals in the 32nd minute when he and forward Sebastian Giovinco worked a give-and-go at the top of the box. After Altidore played a quick ball to Giovinco, The Italian international chipped a return ball in behind the Dynamo back line. After bringing the ball down with his chest, Altidore slotted a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
Despite the scoreline, the Dynamo controlled much of the possession before Altidore’s opener. Houston outshot the hosts, 19-10, and had nine corners to Toronto’s two, but were unable to find the final ball to unlock Toronto’s defense.
The Dynamo had a dangerous opportunity in the 13th minute when forward Alberth Elis outran Toronto defenders Nick Haggland and Eriq Zavaleta for a long ball over the top of the Toronto back line. "La Panterita" connected the with the ball on the edge of the box, but it bounced off goalkeeper Alexander Bono’s chest.
In the 30th minute, midfielder Alex nearly drew Houston level when he ran onto a loose ball inside the penalty area, but Bono was quick off his line to thwart the threat. The chance was created when forward Erick Torres intercepted a pass from Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley 30 yards from goal and played a diagonal ball into the box. After an initial deflection by a Toronto defender, Alex outraced everyone to the loose ball.
Elis had another dangerous opportunity in the 65th minute when forward Romell Quioto sent a low pass to him in the middle of the box. Elis collected the ball inside the six-yard box and turned, but his right-footed shot was easily stopped by Bono.
The Dynamo return home to continue the 2017 season, presented by 76, on Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. CDT against Orlando City SC at BBVA Compass Stadium (TICKETS).
Toronto FC vs. Houston Dynamo
MLS Week 10
April 28, 2017 – BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Attendance: 25,358
Scoring Summary:
TOR: Jozy Altidore 4 (Raheem Edwards 2, Marco Delgado 1) 16
TOR: Jozy Altidore 5 (Sebastian Giovinco 1) 32
Toronto FC: Alexander Bono; Justin Morrow, Nick Hagglund, Eriq Zavaleta; Raheem Edwards, Marco Delgado (Jonathan Osorio, 70), Michael Bradley ©, VÃctor Vázquez (Armando Cooper 75), Steven Beitashour; Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore (Tosaint Ricketts 79)
Unused Substitutes: Mark Pais, Benoit Cheyrou, Jay Chapman, Tsubasa Endoh
Total shots: 10 (Sebastian Giovinco 6); Shots on goal: 5 (Sebastian Giovinco 3); Fouls: 11 (Sebastian Giovinco 4); Offside: 1 (Jozy Altidore 1); Corner kicks: 2 (Victor Vázquez 2); Saves: 5
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis; A.J. DeLaGarza, Adolfo Machado, Juan David Cabezas, Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley ©; Boniek GarcÃa (Romell Quioto 56), Alex, Eric Alexander (Vicente Sánchez 83); Alberth Elis (Mauro Manotas 73), Erick Torres
Unused Substitutes: Tyler Deric, Jalil Anibaba, Andrew Wenger, Dylan Remick
Total shots: 18 (Erick Torres 6); Shots on goal: 5 (Erick Torres 2); Fouls: 11 (Juan David Cabezas 3); Offside: 1 (Alberth Elis 1); Corner kicks: 9 (Alex 5); Saves: 3
Discipline:
HOU: Alberth Elis caution (unsporting behavior) 58
HOU: Juan David Cabezas caution (unsporting behavior) 70
OFFICIALS
Referee: Mark Geiger
Assistant Referee 1: CJ Morgante
Assistant Referee 2: Joe Fletcher
Fourth Official: Geoff Gamble
