The Houston Dynamo scored twice in the span of 99 seconds to rally from a goal deficit to defeat D.C. United 2-1 tonight at BBVA Compass Stadium. Goals from forward Memo Rodriguez and midfielder Tommy McNamara in the 67th and 68th minutes, respectively, gave the Dynamo their first come-from-behind victory of the year and seventh win overall.
An aerial duel between Dynamo forward Alberth Elis and D.C. United defender Steven Birnbaum in the opening minute of the game resulted in both players knocking heads. The collision forced the Honduran international to leave the game early on, with Rodriguez replacing Elis in the 10th minute.
After a scoreless first half, D.C. United broke the deadlock just seconds into the second half. After intercepting a pass inside their own half, the Black-and-Red counterattacked quickly and midfielder Ulises Segura whipped a low centering pass across the face of goal to an oncoming Wayne Rooney, who tapped in the ball for his seventh goal of the season.
Rodriguez, the Dynamo Academy product, equalized for Houston in the 67th minute after he received a pass from captain Boniek GarcÃa along the left flank and cut inside on his right foot at the top of the penalty area. Rodriguez evaded two defenders at the top of the box and beat D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid with a hard right-footed shot to the bottom corner of the far post.
McNamara entered the game prior to the first goal and two minutes later he gave Houston the lead with a run to the far post. Defender Adam Lundkvist’scross missed forward Mauro Manotas near the six-yard box but McNamara, hustling at the back post, leapt to get his body on the cross and redirect it into the net. The goal was McNamara’s first for his new club and the 15th of his MLS career.
Facing a team that boasted the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Dynamo controlled the majority of the match. They outshot United 20-11, limited Rooney and the potent Black-and-Red attack to just two shots on goal, won 12 corner kicks to D.C.’s two, and had 54.8 percent of possession on the night. The win improved Houston to 7-2-2 on the year as the team continues to surge out to the best start to a season in club history.
The Dynamo will make their maiden visit to Allianz Field in Minneapolis next weekend as they play at Minnesota United FC on Saturday night (7 p.m. CDT | KUBE 57 | TeleXitos 47.2). Following that match, they return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, June 1 to host Sporting Kansas City on Soccer For All Night, presented by Heriberto Ramos. Tickers for that match are available online at HoustonDynamo.com or by phone at 713-276-4625 (GOAL).
Houston Dynamo (7-2-2; 23 pts.) 2-1 D.C. United (7-4-3; 24 pts.)
MLS Regular Season, Week 12
Saturday, May 18, 2019 – BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 15,811
SCORING SUMMARY:
DC: Wayne Rooney 7 (Ulises Segura 1) 46
HOU: Memo Rodriguez 5 (Boniek Garcia 1) 67
HOU: Tommy McNamara 1 (Adam Lundkvist 2) 68
LINEUPS:
Houston Dynamo: Joe Willis; Adam Lundkvist, Alejandro Fuenmayor, Kiki Struna, A.J. DeLaGarza; MatÃas Vera, Boniek Garcia ©, Tomás MartÃnez (Juan David Cabezas 90+1); Alberth Elis (Memo Rodriguez 10), Mauro Manotas, Romell Quioto (Tommy McNamara 66)
Substitutes not used: Tyler Deric, Darwin Cerén, Kevin Garcia, Marlon Hairston
Total shots: 20 (Romell Quioto, Memo Rodriguez 4); Shots on goal: 4 (Mauro Manotas, Tommy McNamara, Romell Quioto, Memo Rodriguez 1); Fouls: 11 (Alejandro Fuenmayor, Adam Lundkvist, Tomás Martinez, MatÃas Vera 2); Offside: 0; Corner kicks: 12(Memo Rodriguez 8); Saves: 1 (Joe Willis 1)
D.C. United: Bill Hamid; Marquinhos Pedroso (Zoltán Stieber 82), Frédéric Brillant, Steve Bimbaum, Leonard Jara; Russell Canouse, Ulises Segura (Chris McCann 66), Lucas RodrÃguez; Wayne Rooney ©, Luciano Acosta
Substitutes not used: Chris Seitz, Akeem Ward, Quincy Amarikwa, Jalen Robinson, Chris Odoi-Atsem
Total shots: 11 (Wayne Rooney 4); Shots on goal: 2 (Wayne Rooney 2); Fouls: 16 (Russell Canouse 4); Offside: 0; Corner kicks: 2 (Wayne Rooney 2); Saves: 2 (Bill Hamid 2)
DISCIPLINE:
HOU: Tomás MartÃnez (caution; foul) 38
DC: Russell Canouse (caution; foul) 76
DC: Paul Arriola (ejection; violent conduct) 83
HOU: Kiki Struna (caution; foul) 90+4
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Assistant Referee: Ian Anderson
Assistant Referee: Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Elvis Osmanovic
VAR: Jon Freemon
Weather: 80 degrees; Cloudy
