Houston Dynamo shut out Columbus Crew in 2-0 win

Saturday night, the Columbus Crew were in town as the Houston Dynamo hosted the evening match-up. Both teams were looking to put losses behind them, but in the end it would be the Dynamo who came out victorious.

Alberth Elis continued his tear setting up Mauro Manotas with a goal in the third minute of the game. Lalas Abubakar turned the ball over at midfield to Elis who made a run down the side of the field. He crossed the ball in to Manotas who was in front of goal. Manotas got a foot to it while surrounded by Columbus players helping to direct it into the net for an early 1-0 lead. Just minutes later Manotas nearly doubled the lead as he almost found the net again.

Maynor Figueroa nearly scored off a free kick midway through the first half. He put the ball in low getting it past the wall from the Crew. However, goal keeper Zack Steffen dove getting a hand on it preventing the ball from sneaking inside the goal post.

Houston dominated the opening minutes of the game but as the first half wore on the Crew began to find more chances with the ball as the Dynamo dropped back. By the time the whistle blew for half time they were level on possession. Houston held the edge in chances with 13 shots in the first half to the Crew’s eight.

Tomas Martinez was taken down by Waylon Francis outside of the box six minutes into the second half. Memo Rodriguez took the free kick sending his shot off the cross bar.

Mauro Manotas made a run in the 55th minute of the game crossing the ball in front of goal to a streaking Elis. Steffen batted the ball away to break up the cross, but sent it towards Tomas Martinez. The midfielder took one touch rifling it into goal to double Houston’s lead to 2-0.

Houston would hang on to preserve the shut out and two goal win.

By the final whistle they had put together a 2.2% advantage in possession. In spite of the possession gain they had allowed the Crew 19 shots in the game while getting off 18 themselves. The Dynamo defense continued to look strong shutting down chances for the Crew. While the offense looked a little cooler than it has in past games they still put two goals into the net.

Next Saturday the Dynamo host rival FC Dallas for the first time this season.

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