Houston downs FC Dallas 2-0 in Texas Derby match

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 7, 2020) In a match which saw six yellow cards issued and the ejection of a key player, the Houston Dynamo fought to a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday evening. In stoppage time of the first half, Houston forward Mauro Manotas was issued a yellow card, which was later changed to a red card, on a sliding tackle gone awry, which forced the Dynamo to play the second half a man down. After the game, in the post-game press conference, head coach Tab Ramos was questioned on how the red card against Manotas changed his strategy of the game. 

“It happened by chance. Mauro is not that kind of an aggressive player. He just tried to make a good effort, and unfortunately, he made a bad foul and we had to pay for that. It forcMariced us to go into a 4-4-1 with Darwin Quintero up top. Darwin showed that he can put this team on his shoulders, and he showed that today. I thought it was an amazing effort from him to keep us in the game.”

Houston's first goal came as the in the 20th minute when Quintero (shown above) fired a left-footed shot into the back of the net from 12 yards out. Forward Ari Lassiter set up the goal when he stripped a Dallas defender of the ball 25 yards from goal and quickly slipped a pass to Quintero in the middle of the area. Quintero took a touch to create a shooting angle and then tucked his shot just inside the far post.

As a result of a successful penalty kick, the Dynamo added the insurance goal when midfielder Darwin Cerén found the back of the net in the 83rd minute.  The win gave Houston their first win over Dallas this season and raised their all-time record against their Texas rival to 12-12-14. 

Ramos also commented on goalkeeper Marco Maric's performance. The Austrian recorded eight safe, whoi h earned him the "Man of the Match" honors

“Marco had a great game. He made a bunch of great saves and led the defense really well. He communicated well, and I think he’s starting to build on his experience well in the league. That’s a great thing considering he’s probably one of the youngest goalkeepers starting in the MLS. We’re really happy about that.”

Next up for the Dynamo is a first-ever matchup against Inter Miami CF on Saturday, October 10. The game will be broadcast on Univision/TUDN and is scheduled for a 4 p.m. CT start.