Houston Dynamo get first club victory over New York City FC

The Houston Dynamo went into Friday’s night against New York City FC having never won a game against the club. By the time they had played the full 90 minutes that was no longer the case.

It was Alberth Elis who had the first chance of the game in the second minute. His header went off the post and along the goal line before going out of bounds. But four minutes later it was NYCFC who’s ball crossed the goal line. The Dynamo cleared a cross from Maxi Moralez but not well enough as it fell to David Villa. He took one touch and finished his shot in the back of the net to put the visitors up 1-0 in the sixth minute of the game.

The lead was short lived for NYC and one that they would never regain. Romell Quioto was taken down by NYC on the edge of the box leading to a free kick for the Dynamo. Quioto took the free kick putting the ball into the box. Alejandro Fuenmayor headed the ball into the back of the net to tie things up in the 21st minute of the game.

The Dynamo had eight shots in the first half including a brilliant strike from Quioto right before the half time whistle but the ball was stopped by goal keeper Sean Johnson. NYC had seven shots in the first half and the majority of possession with 56.6%.

Villa came close to regaining the lead for NYC as the second half got underway. Anton Tinnerholm crossed the ball to Villa who headed it towards goal. The ball was off target as it went past the post.

The Dynamo continued to have chances in the second half but Quioto and Elis struggled to finish the balls sent their way. Finally it was Boniek Garcia and Tomas Martinez that would put the Dynamo out in front. Boniek passed the ball through two NYCFC defenders to Martinez who was setting behind one of them. Martinez turned and struck the ball scoring easily in the 69th minute to make it 2-1, Dynamo.

Eleven minutes later Elis extended that lead after Johnson stopped his initial shot. After a great build up from the Dynamo second half sub Memo Rodriguez crossed the ball to Elis who headed the ball toward goal but Johnson was able to stop the effort. The ball bounced back to Elis who pounced on it, taking a second shot that Johnson was unable to save. The goal made it 3-1 in the Dynamo’s favor.

The Dynamo finished the game with 21 total shots while NYCFC had just 13. If not for several brilliant plays from Johnson, the Dynamo’s tally could have been higher. While NYCFC lost some possession in the second half they still finished the game with 55.1% of the possession.

The Dynamo have a short week as they play on the road Wednesday against Real Salt Lake followed by a road game against the Montreal Impact on Saturday.

Lineups

81’ Manotas off, Gil on