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Dynamo playing on the road? You can probably guess how this recap is going to end. The Dynamo headed to Philadelphia for a mid-week match-up against the Philadelphia Union.
It was a quiet start to the game for each side. The Union looked to have the early edge putting pressure on the Dynamo’s defense.
In the 17th minute, Chris Pontius chipped the ball to the back post and Fafa Picault rose up over two Dynamo defender to head the ball into goal. Joe Willis was slow getting up on the play leaving the ball in the net before he fully reacted to the play.
Ilsinho nearly made it two for the Union on a counter-attack in the 25th minute. The Dynamo took a free kick that went right into the wall. Ilsinho pounced on the ball and ran it back to the other end of the field. His shot went rifling off of the post, a few inches over and the ball would have found the back of the net as Willis wasn’t in a position to stop the ball. The rebound fell to Ray Gaddis, but shot went wide of the other post.
Ilsinho would get his goal in the 38th minute to double the Union lead. CJ Sapong started the play off by created a turnover and taking the ball through the Dynamo defense. Sapong played the ball out to Pontius who then passed the ball in to Ilsinho. The midfielder hit the ball with the side of his foot which went right past a diving Willis. The Dynamo tried to answer on the counter attack after the goal, but Andre Blake was able to get a hand on the shot from Manotas and push it away from goal.
Houston looked better in the second half than they did in the first but they didn’t improve enough to turn things around. One of the best chances for the Dynamo in the second half came thanks to second half substitute Andrew Wenger. The midfielder was able to get behind the Union defense and bring down the ball, but Blake came out to cover the shot from Wenger.
Houston thought they finally had a goal in stoppage time but the ball had gone out over the endline before Wenger got to it. Wenger crossed the ball to Sanchez who promptly found the back of the net for a non-goal.
Houston actually had the advantage in time of possession and shots this game, but were unable to do much. They had eleven shots to the Union’s nine, but five of Houston’s shots were blocked. It was yet another frustrating Dynamo road loss.
Houston continue their road trip this weekend against Atlanta United.
Lineups
Tonight's #Dynamo Starting XI: Willis; DeLaGarza, Machado, Leonardo, Beasley; Clark ©, Cabezas, Alex; Manotas, Torres, Quioto #PHIvHOU pic.twitter.com/yMoRP6ktf4
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) May 17, 2017
Your Starting XI tonight for some midweek action.#JoinOrDie pic.twitter.com/7iH46z84vy
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 17, 2017
56' SUB: Vicente Sánchez replaces Alex. Still trailing by two goals. #PHIvHOU pic.twitter.com/qdLXOuBAMr
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) May 18, 2017
60' | A standing ovation for both Gaddis and Rosenberry on the switch, our 1st#JoinOrDie: https://t.co/tF8qwKUEIF https://t.co/KJbfASXd1X
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 18, 2017
64' SUB: Fresh legs as Andrew Wenger replaces Mauro Manotas. #PHIvHOU pic.twitter.com/Zcp63ARP0H
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) May 18, 2017
66' | Another Standing-O as Ilsinho is taken out for Creavalle#JoinOrDie: https://t.co/tF8qwKUEIF https://t.co/3O2pm2FfXG
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 18, 2017
78' SUB: Joseph Holland on for Romell Quioto, and @jmttholland makes his @MLS debut. #PHIvHOU pic.twitter.com/FRRLMaXQV9
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) May 18, 2017