A re-tooled Houston Dynamo front three ran roughshod over a Columbus Crew SC team with no answers Saturday night.
New signings Romell Quioto and Alberth Elis along with the club’s young designated player Erick “Cubo” Torres all found the score sheet in a dominating 3-0 victory for the home-standing Dynamo.
Houston Dynamo Front Three Sinks Columbus Crew SC
First Half
One of the keys for Crew SC heading into this game was the team’s ability to withstand Houston’s penchant for pressing the ball under new manager Wilmer Cabrera. Could Columbus’ possession-oriented style hold up against the Dynamo’s desire to win the ball in advanced positions on the pitch?
It didn’t take long before an answer to that question manifested itself.
Two minutes in, Crew SC goalkeeper Zack Steffen had the ball at his feet. Looking to initiate a build-up out of the back, his wayward pass came right to the feet of Quioto. A few touches later, the Houston left winger placed it underneath a diving Steffen and into the net for the first goal of the game.
The Dynamo doubled their advantage in the 35th minute. This time, it was Elis’ turn to open his account on the season. The 21-year-old Honduran one-timed a well-placed Alex corner kick on the full volley to make it 2-0.
That second goal appeared to be the result of issues in marking and communication on set pieces. Torres made a horizontal run across goal that drew in three Crew SC players. Meanwhile, defender Jonathan Mensah made no effort to track Elis who had an unimpeded view of goal.
Second Half
Houston wasn’t finished. 20 minutes into the second half, Torres added his name to the score sheet for the second time this year. The Mexican striker brought down a spectacular long ball from Alex, tucked inside past substitute Connor Maloney and curled it past Steffen.
Things went from bad to worse for Crew SC in the 87th minute when referee Chris Penso showed a red card to Mensah. The Ghanaian designated player went in studs up on Alex, prompting the sending off. Assuming the MLS Disciplinary Committee doesn’t rescind the decision, Mensah will miss the club’s next match.
Columbus got one back in second half stoppage time, with Ola Kamara registering his first tally of the season. With just seconds remaining in the game, the Norwegian international slotted in a ball that Justin Meram centered in from the left. Meram, who signed a multi-year extension on Thursday, has assisted on both Crew SC goals in 2017.
Left back Jukka Raitala received credit for a secondary assist on the goal.
But it proved fleeting in a match where pretty much nothing went right for the visitors.
With the win, Houston is now 6-7-10 in the all-time series against Columbus. It marks their first victory against Crew SC since a 1-0 triumph in the season opener two seasons ago on March 7, 2015.
The Black and Gold are on the road once more next Saturday as they take on D.C. United. The match is slated to be the final contest between the two clubs at RFK Stadium with D.C. moving into their new facility, Audi Field, beginning in 2018. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM ET.
Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew SC Communications.
