Rare comeback victory helps flip the script
If the Dynamo’s 2018 Major League Soccer season were to end Saturday, the movie about the team’s campaign would be about quick-striking attacks and blown leads.
But Friday night, defender Alejandro Fuenmayor submitted a new narrative as the Dynamo defeated New York City FC 3-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Fuenmayor’s script was one of redemption. In the seventh minute, the Venezuelan sought to defuse New York City FC’s attack, knocking a header away from the goal before NYC FC striker David Villa intercepted the would-be clearance.
It was a sloppy mistake by the defender and Villa, a Spanish legend who entered the game tied for second in MLS in goals, needed no invitation to add to his season total. He took control toward the top of the penalty box and slapped the ball into the corner netting.
A test was welcome
Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera and his players have emphasized the importance of holding on to their early leads. They talked about it after surrendering those advantages early in the season, then again after flipping the trend into a winning comeback against the Los Angeles Galaxy this month.
“From the beginning, we knew that we had a tough game in front of us,” Cabrera said. “We wanted to test ourselves.”
He stayed on message following this week’s training sessions, but the Dynamo (5-3-3) had to climb back facing an early deficit. They responded in the 21st minute when Romell Quioto registered his team-high fifth assist. He crossed the ball from the left side of the box toward the back post where it met Fuenmayor face to face — literally. Fuenmayor flicked his head forward and directed the ball for his second goal of the season.
“We had the possibility to create chances,” Cabrera said. “We made some adjustments in terms of our shape and it was good because the pressure came in and we had the possibilities to score two goals but it could be more for us.”
Fuenmayor might have been done scoring, but not the Dynamo. They doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Boniek Garcia swiped the ball from an NYC FC player and swiftly advanced into the box, tapping the ball right to a charging Tomas Martínez, who converted the easy opportunity.
Villa and Dynamo striker Alberth Elis headlined Friday’s contest, a showcase of two of the top scoring talents in MLS. Elis, not to be outdone, continued to blast forward on piercing runs.
He padded the lead in the 80th minute.
Memo Rodriguez played a cross in the box toward Elis, whose initial shot was saved by keeper Sean Johnson. But he was in perfect positon to slam the rebound into the back of the net to put the game out of reach.
Elis jogged toward the corner flag gesturing for and then donning a Black Panther mask to punctuate his score and the Dynamo’s first-ever win over NYC FC (7-3-3).
“Little by little, we’re getting better,” Cabrera said. “It’s just a matter of getting more solid defensively (and) fixing little details in terms of concentration and intensity.”