The Houston Dynamo defeated the New York Red Bulls, 5-0, in their second match of the 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup.
The Dynamo got themselves on the scoresheet first on a blazing shot by midfielder Boniek GarcÃa. In the 30th minute, forward Mauro Manotas played a quick ball to forward Alberth Elis, who fired from the edge of the box. Goalkeeper Evan Louro got a hand on the shot but parried the ball into the path of GarcÃa, who volleyed it into the middle of the net from 18 yards out.
The Dynamo increased their lead on another loose ball in the 40th minute. Defender Kevin Garcia sent a cross from the right flank finding Elis’ head. The header hit the woodwork, but forward Andrew Wenger found the loose ball and scored from six yards out.
In the 55th minute, Elis dribbled the ball into the box from the right flank after beating his defender. La Pantera delivered a short pass to the incoming Manotas just in front of goal. Manotas hit his shot first-time off the underside of the crossbar, off the back of the goalkeeper and over the line.
Following a line change for the Dynamo in the second half, the second group continued the offensive blitz. In the 77th minute, midfielder Eric Bird led the Dynamo counter attack and found forward Mac Steeves splitting the New York defense. Steeves took a touch and beat the ‘keeper with a low shot.
Bird and Steeves connected again in the 83rd minute. Bird picked up the ball in space on the right side and centered it along the six-yard box. Steeves latched onto the cross on the half-volley for a first-time finish.
The Dynamo were dangerous right from the start. In the ninth minute, Elis played a ball through to Manotas, but Louro parried the shot away.
The Red Bulls had two close opportunities shortly after. In the 12th minute, forward Brian White found midfielder Jose Aguinaga in the right side of the box, but his shot was deflected for a corner kick. In the 13th minute, forward Ben Mines passed the ball to White whose sliding attempt went wide from the left post.
In the second half both teams pressed for a goal early. In the 48th minute, Wenger sent a low cross from the left side to the far post with Manotas closing on the play, but the ball was deflected just behind him. The Red Bulls responded in the 49th minute, as Aguinaga played a short pass to midfielder Amando Moreno who tried to pass the ball to White, but GarcÃa was there to clear the danger.
The Dynamo return to game action in the 2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup on Wednesday, February 21 at 6 p.m. CT against hosts Phoenix Rising FC. The match will be streamed live on HoustonDynamo.com, Facebook Live, and YouTube.
Houston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls
2018 Mobile Mini Sun Cup
February 17, 2018 – Tucson, Arizona
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Boniek GarcÃa 1 (unassisted) 30
HOU: Andrew Wenger 1 (unassisted) 40
HOU: Mauro Manotas 3 (Alberth Elis 2) 55
HOU: Mac Steeves 2 (Eric Bird 1) 77
HOU: Mac Steeves 3 (Eric Bird 2) 83
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis (Michael Nelson 60); Kevin Garcia (George Malki 70), Philippe Senderos (Adolfo Machado 60), Leonardo (Alejandro Fuenmayor 60), DaMarcus Beasley (Justin Bilyeu 60); Eric Alexander (Eric Bird 60), Juan David Cabezas (Darwin Cerén 60); Alberth Elis (Wilmer A. Cabrera 70), Boniek GarcÃa (Arturo Alvarez 60), Andrew Wenger (Memo Rodriguez 70); Mauro Manotas (Mac Steeves 70)
New York Red Bulls: Evan Louro; Niko De Vera, Kevin Politz (Wahab Ackwei 60), Jordan Scarlett, Billy Stevens (Jordan Bailon 46); Andrew Tinari (John Murphy 58), Steven Echevarria, Jose Aguinaga (Jared Stroua 58; JP Marin 68); Amando Moreno, Brian White (Jordan Jones 58), Ben Mines (Stefano Bonomo 60)
Discipline:
NYRB: Wahab Ackwei (foul) 69
