Preseason Recap: Houston Dynamo 5, New York Red Bulls 0

Coming off a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers, the Houston Dynamo came out strong against a depleted New York Red Bulls side in their second match of the Mobile Mini Sun Cup. While the Dynamo are looking to build chemistry, the Red Bulls fielded a largely reserve side as the club has its attention set towards Champion’s League.

The Houston Dynamo line up for the first half:

(GK): Joe Willis

(DF): Kevin Garcia, Philippe Senderos, Leonardo, DaMarcus Beasley

(MID): Juan David Cabezas, Eric Alexander, Oscar Boniek García

(FW): Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas, Andrew Wenger

The lineup was very similar to how the Dynamo lined up in the second half against the Timbers with Willis and Leonardo being the only changes. The early stages of the game did not produce a lot of fireworks as both sides turned the ball over frequently and tried to feel each other out. RBNY dominated possession early, but struggled to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball.

Houston was limited mostly to counter attacks as build up play was really lacking. However, the Dynamo would be the first ones to figure it out as they did well to get Alberth Elis and Andrew Wenger involved out wide. Elis in particular looked dangerous in the first half as his speed ensured that he would win balls sent in to him. In the 30^th minute, Elis sent in a shot which the RBNY goalkeeper blocked, but it would fall to Boniek who whipped in a half-volley into the top of the net.

The Dynamo would double their lead 10 minutes later in the 40^th minute following a great rebounded effort by Andrew Wenger. The play began with Kevin Garcia down the right side of the field who sent in a cross to Elis. Elis would make contact, but his header went into the crossbar. The ball would fall to Wenger who slotted the ball into the lower corner of the goal.

No changes were made by the Dynamo to start the second half, and Wenger nearly set up Mauro Manotas in the 48^th minute. A poor ball by the RBNY goalkeeper led to a one touch pass by Juan David Cabezas to Wenger. Wenger put in a perfect ball across goal, but Manotas was just behind the ball to get a touch on it. RBNY would respond with a run behind the Dynamo defense, but the ball was ultimately cleared off the line by Philippe Senderos.

Manotas would keep the party going with Houston’s third goal as Elis again was involved. Elis took a ball down the end line and moved towards goal. With Andrew Wenger and Manotas open, Elis elected to pass to Manotas who crashed the 6 yard box and put the ball in the back of the net.

The Dynamo would make sweeping lineup changes in the 60^th minute with the new group lined up like this:

(GK): Michael Nelson

(DF): George Malki, Adolfo Machado, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Justin Bilyeu (RGVFC product)

(MID): Darwin Cerén, Eric Bird, Arturo Álvarez

(FW): Alberth Elis, Mauro Manotas, Andrew Wenger

10 minutes later the Dynamo would make four more subs with George Malki replacing Kevin Garcia, Mac Steeves coming on for Manotas, Memo Rodriguez on for Wenger, and Wilmer Cabrera (the coach’s son) on for Alberth Elis.

A nice counter attack led by a long ball by Álvarez to Memo found its way to Wilmer’s son. Memo got his head up and picked out the young Cabrera who took a touch and fired a shot, but it was over the top of the bar.

The substitutes would keep the party going as Eric Bird dribbled through the middle of the park and placed a great ball to the rookie Mac Steeves. Steeves took a touch and slot it into the lower left corner of the goal to make it 4-0 to Houston.

Not satisfied with just one goal, Steeves was at it again. Bird again played the set up man as he got loose down the right side of the field and sent in a cross to Steeves who volleyed it into the net.

After 90 minutes the final whistle would blow and the Dynamo would finish 5-0 over RBNY (really RBNY II) to get their first win in the Mobile Mini Sun Cup. The Dynamo will next face USL side Phoenix Rising Wednesday, February 21^st at 6 PM in Tucson, AZ.