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| Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved |
Special Correspondent for TexSport Publications
HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 13, 2017) The Houston Dynamo surged to the top of the Western Conference table with a 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night. The win kept Houston unbeaten at home in 2017. The three goal outburst gives the Dynamo 31 goals in 12 matches at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Houston extended its unbeaten streak to six games and created a three way tie atop the standings joining Kansas City and Seattle with 37 points each. San Jose remained in the sixth and final playoff spot.
A mostly uneventful 20 minutes opened a match that finished in spectacular fashion as the Houston Dynamo remained unbeaten at home in 2017.
La Pantera, Alberth Elis, gave Houston the lead heading home a corner from Boniek Garcia in the 21st minute. The corner followed a brilliant save by San Jose keeper Andrew Tarbell as he tipped a rocket by Houston forward Romell Quioto’s drive over the crossbar moments earlier by to keep the match level. The marker was the 17th Houston has scored in the first 30 minutes of a match in 24 games this season. Elis, the youngest player in MLS this season to record a goal and an assist finished with a goal and assist for the second time in 2017.
“Alberth is doing very well,” said Houston head coach Wilmer Cabrera following the match. “We needed him, we needed Romell and today they were pushing, they were working, they were creating options, they were running, they were making those runs and they were dangerous. Alberth was rewarded with a goal and an assist and that is why it is so important for us to have them fresh and with that mentality.”
Quioto nearly had his own goal eight minutes as his shot seemed destined for the far post before Tarbell scrambled over to knock it clear.
The Houston pressure continued into the early minutes of the second half as Houston drew a penalty kick in the 49th minute. San Jose defender Andres Imperiale pulled down Dynamo striker Erick Torres as he broke free inside the box. Torres PK conversion was denied as Tarbell guessed right keeping his team in the game that is until the 86th minute.
Sanchez entering in the 78th minute needed just eight minutes to make his presence felt. The 37 year old was on the receiving end of a perfect ball from Elis who had attacked into the six yard box before slipping the ball to Sanchez for the tap in. The goal was the Uruguyan’s first in MLS play.
Mauro Manotas, the young Colombian phenom, notched his career high eighth goal of the season in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time to cap the win. Tomas Martinez, making his MLS debut, set up the play with a nicely weighted ball to Sanchez. Houston forwards have accounted for 31 of the team’s 42 goals this season.
“Today wasn’t different,” concluded Cabrera. “Guys were focused, guys played with tenacity; we came back to what the Houston Dynamo are.”
Houston returns to the pitch on Saturday August 19, 2017 against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kick-off at BC Place is set for 9:00pm CST.
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