HOUSTON, TX. – In his first game as interim head coach of the Houston Dynamo, Davy Arnaud needed a result. Some heroics from Mauro Manotas helped, but it was an even match between Houston and Colorado Rapids.
Mauro Manotas Brace Spoils Rapids Good Start, Gets Draw
The Rapids had probably their best start in a game all year. Just seven minutes in, Diego Rubio but the visitors on the board. Sam Nicholson headed down a long ball into space. Rubio ran onto the ball and into space, and beat Joe Willis to make it 1-0.
After that, Colorado fell into a mid-block and looked to counter. Houston had a lot of the ball and most of the chances, but they weren’t great quality, save for a shot off the post by Memo Rodriguez.
In the 38th minute, Rubio picked off a pass out of the back and picked up speed. He blew by Aljaz Struna, rounded goalkeeper Joe Willis and scored. The half ended 2-0.
Houston continued to have most of the ball in the second half. The Rapids had a few half chances on the counter attack, but were outnumbered. Houston subbed on Cristian Ramirez in the 56th minute to be more threatening in the air.
The Dynamo got life in the 74th minute. Adam Lundkvist executed a great pass at midfield to send Mauro Manotas in alone. He beat Irwin, who didn’t come off quickly to cut off the angle to make it a one goal game.
Manotas would tie the game five minutes later. Tommy McNamara got the ball and took it to the touchline. He threaded a pass into the open space in the middle of the box. Manotas got to it unmarked and scored to make it 2-2.
.@LundqvistA with a perfect ball to @MauroManotas19
1-2 | #HOUvCOL pic.twitter.com/o06NobS0WZ
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) August 18, 2019
Three Takeaways:
Diego Rubio brace: Rubio now has eight goals in his last ten league appearances. He’s been a ruthless opportunist.
Mauro Manotas Brace Mauro Manotas had trouble finding the game in the first half but he made two great runs in the second half. He got two good chances and made them count.
Playoff Hopes Further Dented: Both of these teams find themselves comfortably below the playoff line. Both teams, Colorado especially, are in “every game is a final” mode. Both teams needed a win and neither could get it. Any playoffs hopes the had might be gone now.
