Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas scored his 50th goal for the club across all competitions in a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dynamo rallied for their first MLS victory of the season after Montreal midfielder Michael Azira found Saphir Taïder at the back post for the first goal of the game. Taïder finished on the volley for his second goal of the season in the 34th minute.
Academy product Memo Rodriguez equalized two minutes later from distance with a shot from outside the box for this first goal of the season. This was Rodriguez’ 10th league start with the club.
Manotas scored the game-winning goal with four minutes left in regulation off a cross fromRomell Quioto. The Honduran international was initially denied at the near post but collected the rebound outside the six yard box. Quioto found Manotas with a low cross at the near post for the game-winning goal.
Dynamo midfielder Tomás MartÃnez forced a save in the third minute of the game with a shot from outside the box that was handled by Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush.
Eight minutes later Martinez found Rodriguez outside the box and the forward’s long-range effort missed the inside of the far post.
Martinez tested his luck from distance again in the 33rd minute but Bush was well positioned at the near post to handle his shot. The midfielder forced a save with a similar effort from distance in the 55th minute.
Houston face a quick turnaround as they visit Monterrey for the return leg of their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterinal series next Tuesday, March 12, at Estadio Universitario. With the series winner determined by aggregate goals scored over the two legs, a three-goal Houston win would send the Dynamo into the semifinals. If the teams are tied on aggregate, the side with more away goals advances, meaning that a win by two would do the trick, as long as they scored three or more goals. A 2-0 Houston win would send the series to penalty kicks.
The Dynamo return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face JoaquÃn Ardaiz and the Vancouver Whitecaps. Tickets for Saturday’s match are on sale now, starting at $24, at HoustonDynamo.com or by phone at 713-276-4625 (GOAL).
