Houston Dynamo, Real Salt Lake battle to one-all draw in season opener

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 2, 2019) The Houston Dynamo kicked off their 2019 schedule with 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake in front of 16,827 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Saturday evening. The draw puts the Dynamo at 12-10-7 lifetime versus Salt Lake.

After forty minutes of spirited play, with both side giving as much as they received, Houston got caught out of position 10 yards in front of their goal. Midfielders Albert Rusnak slipped the ball past goalkeeper Joe Willis to give Real Salt Lake a 1-0, which held until halftime.

It took the Dynamo until the 62nd minute to find their first goal of 2019. Forward Mauro Manotas (shown left) punched it in from the top of the box to even the score at one. The Colombian scored 19 goals in 2018, and Saturday's goal was his second lifetime against the Dynamo's Western Conference rivals. Houston now boosts a 7-0-2 record in season home openers at BBVA Compass Stadium; along with a 9-1-5 record going back to the time they play at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium.

One year ago, Salt Lake swept Houston in season games, both 2-1 losses on May 30 and August 18. The last time the Dynamo bested Salt Lake was a 5-1 decision on May 17, 2017. Other recent match ups saw a scoreless draw on August 5, 2017 and a 1-0  Dynamo win on September 17, 2016. The Dynamo were 12-10-6 against Salt Lake prior to Saturday's contest. 

Houston will have only two to rest and prepare for their next match; a Tuesday, March 5 contest against Tigres UANL in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series with a 9 p.m. CT kickoff. Houston will travel to Nueva Leon for the second leg at Estadio Universitario on Tuesday, March 12. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 10 p.m. CT.

In between the two CONCACAF matches, the Dynamo will take on the Montreal Impact on Saturday, March 9, with a 4 p.m. CT kickoff. Montreal is facing San Jose on the road late Saturday night in both teams 2019 opener.

Montreal finished 2018 with 14 wins, four draws, and 16 losses, for 46 points; which was seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.

Houston will host Tigres at BBVA Compass Stadium in the first leg of the series on Tuesday, March 5 at 9 p.m. CT. The Dynamo will travel to Nueva Leon for the second leg at Estadio Universitario on Tuesday, March 12. Kickoff for that match is scheduled for 10 p.m. CT.