On an emotional night in Houston, the Dynamo returned to BBVA Compass Stadium for the first time on Saturday after Hurricane Harvey hit Southeast Texas. A stoppage-time goal from forward Dominique Badji, however, gave the visiting Colorado Rapids a 1-0 win over the Dynamo in front of 18,105 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Badji’s goal came off of an assist from forward Stefan Aigner on a counterattack as the Dynamo threw numbers forward in search of a game-winning goal of their own. The loss snaps a 12-game home unbeaten streak for Houston, the longest-such streak for the club since a league-record 30-game home unbeaten run from 2011-13.
The Dynamo had the first dangerous opportunity of the match in the 36th minute. Defender DaMarcus Beasleysent a cross to forward Erick Torres. El Cubo was able to fend off defensive pressure and spin to take a left-footed shot that was saved by Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Two minutes later, midfielder Ricardo Clark chipped a cross into the middle of the box finding forward Alberth Elis. La Panterita headed the ball slightly over the cross-bar.
The Dynamo started fast in the second half as the Honduran connection attempted to damage the Rapids’ net. Forward Romell Quioto sent a cross from the left side of the box to Elis. La Panterita rose above Mekeil Williams, but his header again went just over the bar.
In the 56th minute, the Dynamo had a play reviewed for the first time since Video Review was implemented in Major League Soccer earlier this summer. Midfielder Alex committed a foul against Rapids midfielder Josh Gatt. Referee Hilario Grajeda issued a yellow card to Alex, but moments later Grajeda signaled that he would review the play. After further review, no red-card offense was identified and the yellow card shown to Alex stood.
Houston had several good looks at goal late-on, most notably a powerful header from midfielder Juan David Cabezas in the first minute of stoppage time. The Colombian’s headed shot appeared destined for the lower right corner of the net, but Howard dove across his goal and pushed the ball wide for a corner kick.
The Dynamo will continue the 2017 season, presented by 76, on Saturday, September 16 at 9:30 p.m. CDT against San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium.
Houston Dynamo (10-9-8, 38 pts.) 0-1 Colorado Rapids (7-16-4, 25 pts.)
MLS Week 27
September 9, 2017 – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 18,105
SCORING SUMMARY:
COL: Dominique Badji 7 (Stefan Aigner 1) 90+4
LINEUPS:
Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric; A.J. DeLaGarza, Adolfo Machado, Philippe Senderos (Leonardo 72), DaMarcus Beasley; Juan David Cabezas, Ricardo Clark ©, Alex (Tomas Martinez 62); Alberth Elis, Erick Torres, Mauro Manotas (Romell Quioto 46)
Unused Substitutes: Vicente Sanchez, Eric Alexander, Joe Willis, Andrew Wenger
Total shots: 18 (Erick Torres 5); Shots on goal: 3 (Juan David Cabezas, Romell Quioto, Erick Torres 1); Fouls: 13 (Juan David Cabezas 4); Offside: 1 (Alberth Elis 1); Corner kicks: 6 (Alex 4); Saves: 2 (Tyler Deric 2)
Colorado Rapids: Tim Howard ©; Eric Miller, Kortne Ford, Axel Sjoberg, Mekeil Williams; Marlon Hairston, Jared Watts (Bismark Boateng 74), Micheal Azira, Joshua Gatt (Dillon Serna 89); Mohammed Saeid (Stefan Aigner 66), Dominique Badji
Unused Substitutes: Alan Gordon, Zac MacMath, Shkelzen Gashi, Bobby Burling
Total shots: 14 (Dominique Badji 4); Shots on goal: 3 (Dominique Badji 2); Fouls: 15 (Mekeil Williams 4); Offside: 1 (Stefan Aigner 1); Corner kicks: 4 (Mohammed Saeid 3); Saves: 3 (Tim Howard 3)
DISCIPLINE:
COL: Kortne Ford (caution; foul) 52
HOU: Ricardo Clark (caution; persistent infringement) 55
HOU: Alex (caution; foul) 57
COL: Dominique Badji (caution; not retreating) 80
COL: Mekeil Williams (caution; unsporting behavior) 82
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Assistant Referee 1: Frank Anderson
Assistant Referee 2: Peter Balciunas
Fourth Official: Nima Saghafi
VAR: Baldomero Toledo
