LAFC bounces back after US Open Cup elimination and defeats Dynamo in Houston
LAFC won 3-1 against the Houston Dynamo Friday night in front of an irritated crowd at the newly renamed BBVA Stadium, marking the third regular-season meeting between the two squads since the inauguration of the Californian team.
The Houston Dynamo got off to an early 1-0 lead when Honduran Romell Quioto, scored an early goal in the 3rd minute. Wilmer Cabrera’s squad maintained that score with 50 percent ball possession and four shots on target until the 47th minute of the first half when Adama Diomande tied the game by scoring a header, leaving 45 minutes left to define a winner.
Bob Bradley’s side had just come from losing in their U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal 1-0 against the Portland Timbers and had to play this game with less than 48 hours to recover.
The Black & Gold took the lead with a goal of their own at the beginning of the second half, when thanks to an assist by Lee Nguyen, Diomande was able to score his second goal of the night at the 49th minute.
Three minutes later the Dynamo almost evened things up after a foul committed on Alberth Elis resulted in a free-kick, with Tomas Martinez responding quickly with a shot that hit the post.
The team from Houston was unable to regain possession of the ball in the second half. Diego Rossi was able to add one more goal near the end of the game, leaving the Dynamo with no hope of keeping their undefeated at home record.
“Nervous start,” said head coach Bob Bradley, “a lot of guys get a chance to play that don’t normally play.” One of those players took the place of Mexican international Carlos Vela, who Houston fans didn’t get to see in action, which marked the first game in the season the striker hasn’t played or started for LAFC.
