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Fate reared its ugly head again in the first minute of second half stoppage time when referee Victor Rivas whistled Dynamo defender Maynor Figueroa for a foul inside the box on L.A.’s Diedie Traore. Figueroa does seem to be involved in many of those late game situations that result in a call against the Dynamo. In the future, maybe it is time to move on from such error prone center bacls.
“Definitely, we are gutted, and we should be,” shared defender Zarek Valentin. “It is always difficult to give up a goal so late in the game. Before any of you guys ask, I am sure Victor (Cabrera) and I have to look at a replay, it is really tough because you mark really tight on corners and then something happens, a call is made and we don’t have a replay or anything. There is no jumbotron or anything like that. So, it is really tough.”
On the bright side, this team is showing more energy and commitment. And what can you say about the Darwin Quintero’s goal that gave Houston the lead for 73 minutes, except that it was a thing of beauty. The set piece was so well executed that Galaxy keeper David Bingham could do nothing but stand there frozen as it rippled the nets.
Houston will be heading home now, waiting to see if this is all there is of the 2020 season or if they will get another shot to give Tab Ramos his first MLS win as head coach.
In other Dynamo news, the team announced an agreement with QuestTEXAS 55 that will allow Houston Dynamo fans the ability to find every locally-produced match broadcast for the remainder of the 2020 season on QuestTEXAS, channel 55. In addition, Dynamo Download will air this Sunday night at 11:15pm on KHOU 11 featuring a recap of both the Dynamo and Dash in their respective tournaments.
The Houston Dash made it through to the championship match of the NWSL Challenge Cup on Sunday, when few gave them a chance to even win a game. Houston’s growth as a team was evident in their latest match against the Portland Thorns, a team against whom they had just 2 wins against in 16 previous matches. The Dash closed out the match in a style most teams wish to but few do. The Dash enter their first title game in franchise history fully healthy. The duo of Shea Groom and Rachel Daly have combined to score five of the team’s six goals in the tournament. To win the championship, the team will have to defeat the Chicago Red Stars, a team against they have managed just two wins against since 2014. With their last win being over Chicago coming April 15, 2017 one might say this Houston team is due.
Tune in at 11:30 AM CT Sunday on CBS to see if Houston claims their first ever championship title.