Houston Dynamo drop San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 to take top spot in MLS Western Conference

Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography, Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved.

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 12, 2017) The Houston Dynamo pushed the San Jose Earthquakes to the limit fro 90-plus minutes, as the downed their MLS rival by the score of 3-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday, August 12, 2017. The win raised their season record to 10-7-7 (37 points) with 10 games to go in the season.

The Dynamo connected for the first score of the game in the 21st minute when Houston was awarded a corner kick, which was taken by Boniek Garcia. Taking it from the far corner, the midfielder from Honduras sailed the ball towards the box and connected with an alert Alberth Elis, who aptly headed the ball into the goal for his seventh goal of the season. The score moved Elis into a tie with Mauro Manotas for second on the team for goals this season

After some spirited play leading up to the 39th minute, Elis was issued a yellow card for simulation (dive in the box). That means he will miss the next match against Vancouver on Saturday, August 19. After three minutes of added time in the first half, both teams retired to their respective locker room for halftime, with Houston retaining their 1-0 lead.

In the second half, both teams poured on the attack without much success until the 89th minute. At that time, Vincente Sanchez, who came into the game in the 78th minute as a replacement for forward Romell Quioto, received a pass from Elis, and drilled it pass Earthquake goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell. They added an insurance goal in the fourth minute of added time when an offense assault by Houston resulted in a three-player play that ended with Manotas sliding the ball, along with himself, into the goal to secure the win and three points for the Dynamo.

With Ricardo Clark starting the game, it marked the 10th season in his career in which he has started 20 of more games. It also moved his career regular season starts to 311, which places him eight starts from the top 10 in league history among field players. In addition, Juan David Cabezas started in the 18th consecutive game. 

As a result of the win, the Dynamo move into first place in the Western Conference of MLS. They next face Vancouver on the road on Saturday, August 19, followed by an August 23 match up against Dallas. They will return to BBVA Compass Stadium on August 26 when they will face Sporting Kansas City.