Houston, Texas (May 19, 2019) — Houston Dynamo, unbeaten in their last seven home games, had a huge challenge taking on D.C. United. Ben Olsen’s squad has been running the roads in MLS. It’s an interesting bout as the Dynamo have the second-most goals scored per match this season.
Meanwhile, D.C. United lead the league in clean sheets.
Memo Rodriguez wonder goal inspires Houston Dynamo comeback
There was a contrasting first-half for each teams star players. Honduras international Alberth Elis was forced off through injury. Elis is Houston’s leading playmaker with five assists. He has also chipped in directly in goals, totaling four. In the D.C. United attack, Wayne Rooney was finding space in between the lines and being a real issue. Houston was constantly in defense due to Rooney being a threat.
Despite Houston catching D.C. out of shape a few times they were unable to score through out the first half. However, in the 45th minute, Lucas Rodriguez won the ball in midfield for the-red-and-black and drove forward quickly. Catching Houston in transition it resulted in skipper Wayne Rooney’s seventh goal of the season.
D.C. United took the 1-0 lead going into halftime.
🗣 @Tommy_Mc15: "It was important to finish the week strong with three points in front of our supporters" #ForeverOrange https://t.co/Eg96xjTLHp
— x – Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 19, 2019
Turning Point
Wilmer Cabrera’s Houston struggled to create chances in open play as you’d expect against MLS’ top defensive team. D.C. United closed shots down quickly. Meanwhile, Houston’s delivery on set pieces was appalling. A moment of individual brilliance was needed and it came in the form of their top scorer: Memo Rodriguez.
Rodriguez received the ball on the left wing, dribbled inside passed two D.C. defenders and sent a rocket past D.C.’s goalkeeper Bill Hamid. This leveled the scores and sent the crowd roaring inside BBVA Compus Stadium.
D.C. United looked flattened after the goal and their pour reaction would have devastating results. Houston left-back Adam Lundqvist came bombing wing delivering a cross that met former New York City FC player Thomas McNamara. It was McNamara’s first goal in a Houston shirt and it proved to be the deciding goal.
🗣 @LundqvistA: "We showed great character today"#ForeverOrange https://t.co/2DGvprYPO9
— x – Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 19, 2019
Three Takeaways
- Memo Rodriguez: Does Memo deserve a USMNT call-up? The 23-year-old wide player is leading Houston to a fantastic season. He’s being a wide player with real direct threat could be an asset to the United State’s national team.
- Houston Dynamo: Despite having a relatively frustrating first half up against D.C.’s defense, they were persistent and stuck to their ideologies. They were thoroughly rewarded for their mental strength getting gaining a huge victory.
- The Wild West: The Western Conference is looking absurd. Houston sat in third and have two game in hand on second place Seattle and first place LAFC. Few points separating teams specifically in the top four making every game that much more valuable for the Western Conference teams.
