Quintero’s ‘magic’ key in takedown of Seattle
A couple of brilliant moments orchestrated by Darwin Quintero helped the Dynamo give their home fans something good to remember from what likely will become a season to forget.
Quintero had a goal and an assist in the first half to give Houston an early advantage in a 2-1 win over Western Conference-leading Seattle on Saturday night at PNC Stadium.
The Dynamo (6-12-12, 30 points) put in a solid allaround performance in which they created more attacking opportunities than the high-powered Sounders (17-6-6, 57 points). They had to have it, too, because any loss the rest of the way will eliminate them from playoff contention.
The victory was relieving for coach Tab Ramos, who has said time and time again this season the Dynamo just have not been able to get over the hump in games they played well.
“There were a lot of moments like tonight throughout the season where I felt that the team deserved to win the game and we just couldn’t get the three points,” Ramos said. “There hasn’t been one week of training this year where the team threw up its arms and said ‘We can’t do this.’ Every week we get excited for the next game.”
Quintero’s magic began on a free kick in the 14th minute.
From 35 yards away in the middle of the park, Quintero chipped his service over the right side of the defense. Maxi Urruti ran to the spot 8 yards from the goal line and outside the right post.
He watched the ball fall over his right shoulder and never looked at the goal as he swung his right foot to connect on a shot that skipped by goalkeeper Stefan Frei.
Quintero scored one of his own six minutes later to give Houston a 2-0 lead.
Griffin Dorsey centered a pass to him just outside the penalty area. Quintero chested the ball down and then volleyed it over his head toward the center of the 18-yard line. He then kept it from one defender with the outside of his right foot and immediately used the inside of his right foot to set himself up for a left-footed shot from 16 yards away.
Quintero hit the shot while falling backward and beat Frei in the bottom left corner.
“He led the way on both sides of the ball,” Ramos said. “Of course, we see the magic he does when he has the ball at his feet, but also how committed he is in the middle of the field. He knows his responsibility, and he’s done a great job.”
Seattle scored late in the first half on a blistering shot by Jimmy Medranda, so the Dynamo had to hold on to a one-goal lead the entire second half. They did it well and almost added another goal but hit the post four times.
“I was relieved for the team because they really deserved to win,” Ramos said. “Had we walked into the locker room with a 2-2 tonight it would have been really disappointing considering all the effort they put in and the chances they created.”