Dynamo overcome second-half deficit to salvage a point against the Galaxy

The Dynamo fielded a strong lineup on Wednesday night in hopes of gaining three points amid a skid that has seen them slide down the Western Conference standings.

However, Houston got off to the worst possible start when a Romain Alessandrini cross made its way through the defense and careened off Demarcus Beasley’s chest for an own goal in just the third minute. The next several minutes featured the Dynamo attempting to get back into the game with physical play while largely being unable to produce any promising moves going forward.

The Galaxy were ruthless in attack in the 12th minute when Ashley Cole played Alessandrini into the box and the Frenchman cooly slotted home to double his side’s lead. The men in orange were left with it all to do for the almost 80 remaining minutes of the match.

Romell Quioto nearly brought the men in orange within one goal in the 19th minute when he rifled a low, long-range shot off the woodwork. Alberth Elis had an attempt from distance of his own moments later and Galaxy goalkeeper Clément Diop was able to parry away for a corner. At that point it appeared it might be one of those nights when the Dynamo are simply unable to find the back of the night.

Tomás Martínez changed the home side’s fortunes in the 26th minute when he collected a ball from AJ DeLagarza inside the box, shrugged off a challenge, and picked out the far corner, his first goal for the Dynamo.

Martinez’s goal breathed life into BBVA Compass Stadium and the Houston attack, and the chances began to arrive in bunches. Quioto looked to have found the equalizer when he finished into an empty net, but a highly questionable foul call brought play back and preserved the Galaxy’s 2-1 lead. A handful of half chances ensued, but the halftime whistle was blown with the Dynamo a goal down.

The second half saw the Dynamo surrender yet another early goal from a Galaxy attacking move initiated by a sloppy giveaway in midfield by DeLaGarza. Bradford Jamieson IV made no mistake in adding his side’s third goal from the top of the box.

Martinez found a bit of space with a little over a half hour to play and hit a wonderful strike from the corner of the area but the woodwork once again kept the Dynamo off the scoresheet.

The subsequent third of the match featured stretched play with both sides looking increasingly gassed. Vicente Sanchez replaced a largely ineffective Cubo Torres and Quioto made way for Mauro Manotas while the Dynamo looked to flip the game on its head.

Elis broke through the Galaxy defense in the 83rd minute and a takedown in the box prevented the Honduran from finishing into an empty net. A penalty was awarded (no card for preventing a goal scoring opportunity?) and Elis sent the keeper the wrong way to pull Houston within one goal.

Need an equalizer at the death? Alberth Elis has you covered. The Honduran rose above Los Angeles defenders to level the match off a corner with just over a minute to play in regulation. The men in orange continually threw numbers forward in search of a winner in stoppage time but after six minutes the referee’s whistle ended the affair at 3-3.

The Dynamo will take the field again in search of three valuable points on Saturday night against Minnesota United. Kickoff is set for 7:30 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

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