The Houston Dynamo dropped a gut-wrenching 2-1 decision to Real Salt Lake Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium after the visitors scored twice in stoppage time.
Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnák scored in the 93rd and 100th minute to bring RSL back, with the game-winning goal coming by virtue of a penalty kick that was reviewed and upheld by referee Armando Villarreal.
The Dynamo got on the board first in the 36th minute after forward Romell Quioto won a foul 20 yards from goal. Quioto’s ensuing free kick was blocked on its way to goal and the rebound eventually made its way to midfielder Boniek GarcÃa at the top of the penalty area. The Honduran international fired a right-footed volley that deflected off of RSL defender Nick Besler and into the net.
Real Salt Lake came out strong early in the match, but the Dynamo defense proved to be up to the task as goalkeeper Joe Willis and defender Alejandro Fuenmayor had crucial interventions. First, RSL forward Jefferson Savarino tried a right-footed shot that was deflected by Willis. A few minutes later, midfielder Damir Kreilach had two attempts that were blocked by Fuenmayor in the six-yard box to send the match into halftime with Houston up 1-0.
Forward Mauro Manotas nearly doubled Houston’s the lead as he tried to chip RSL goalkeeper Andrew Putna from more than 60 yards out, but his attempt went just high of the crossbar. A minute later, Rusnák nearly leveled the match on the other end of the pitch one when his right-footed attempt hit the right post. Two minutes after that, forward Luis Silva got free for a headed shot inside the box, but Willis was able to parry the shot away.
In the 72nd minute, GarcÃa played a through ball to Manotas from the midfield. Manotas ran onto the ball past the Claret-and-Cobalt defense, cut onto his dangerous right foot and tried to slip the ball under Putna, but the goalkeeper was able to get down and make the save with his leg.
Houston had another chance to double their lead just before full time when defender Adolfo Machado, a late substitution, came free at the back post to get on the end of a free kick, but his headed shot whistled just wide of the net.
After the fourth official indicated that there would be six minutes of stoppage, the Dynamo looked set to see out the match until Rusnák finished off a wild sequence with a left-footed shot from the top of the penalty area that found the back of the net. Two Salt Lake players were credited with assists as theyquickly moved the ball around the area, looking for a shot, until the ball came to the feet of Rusnák.
Three minutes later, as stoppage time drew near an end, midfielder Sebastian Saucedo went down inside the area and Villarreal pointed to the penalty spot. After a lengthy delay, the referee signaled that he was going to review the call and went to the monitor. After a brief review, he affirmed the call on the field and Rusnák converted the penalty in the dying moments.
The Dynamo will return home to face their in-state rival FC Dallas at BBVA Compass Stadium on Thursday, August 23 at 8:00 p.m. CDT in the second of three matches of the 2018 Texas Derby.
