Houston Dynamo posts 2-0 shut out over Colorado Rapids

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 A  Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (June 9, 2018) The Houston Dynamo posted two goals within six minutes of each other to top the Colorado Rapids by the score at 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The first goal came in the 30th minute when midfielder Tomas Martinez found himself "in the right place at the right time" for his fourth goal of the season. The Argentinian started in 12 games this season and has scored six goals in his MLS career. Forward Mauro Manotas (No. 10 shown above) converted a penalty kick in the 36th minute to close the scoring in the match. It was the sixth goal of the year for the Colombian; matching his total from the 2016 season. “I hit the ball with my left and it bounced back, so I finished with my right. The truth is that he (Colorado goalkeeper Tim Howard) is a great goalkeeper who has a lot of experience and has been to World Cups. I’m content for scoring on him, ” said Manotas when talking to the media after the game.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 A  Rights Reserved

Houston pushed their record to 6-5-3 on the season and gave Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera (shown right) his 19th regular season win while leading the Dynamo. He was quoted after the game;

“We knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough match with a team that normally is going to be waiting deep with five in the back and two or three defensive midfielders and only one guy up top. It’s a team that when they win the ball, they try to counterattack and capitalize on your mistakes. Today I’m really excited and happy because the players were really focused and concentrated on the game and they were aggressive. We went after them and we took control of the game really quickly and we started to create options. When we didn’t create options, we were moving the ball and trying to find them with our 50/50 balls and that is important. Sometimes, it’s not about just going forward, it’s about being able to move the ball well, and we did that today. We have to be patient and we were patient. So overall it was a good performance and we were able to score in the first half and that is, of course, very important for us. Then, with the second goal I think we were in control. We were cruising, and they got a red card which helped us to continue keeping the possession. At half time, I told the guys that we need to be sure that we don’t make any mistakes, that we don’t get sluggish like when we’re dribbling the ball; let’s play serious, let’s try to score another goal, and (forwards) Romell (Quioto), Alberth (Elis), and Mauro (Manotas), they were trying. They were pushing. They were trying. We created a couple of options. We hit the post two or three times and then the goalkeeper, Tim Howard, is excellent in saving, but I think it was a solid performance overall.”

Next up for Houston is a Monday, June 18 Lamar Hunt Cup match against Minnesota United FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. CDT