Losing streak reaches 4 games
First-half goals by Ferreira and Steres aren’t enough to overcome errors on defense
The Houston Dynamo were engaged from the start and came to play on Saturday night. First-half goals by Sebastian Ferreira and Daniel Steres livened the sellout crowd of 21,284 at PNC Stadium.
The game started out with promise for Houston, but unfortunately, the Dynamo couldn’t match goals with visiting CF Montreal, the No. 3 team in the Eastern Conference. In a chaotic game, it was another frustrating loss. The Dynamo’s losing streak reached four games in a 3-2 defeat to Montreal.
A score in the 69th minute from Lassie Lappalainen was the game winner, giving Montreal its seventh road win.
“We played a quality side, they’re a good team,” Dynamo coach Paulo Nagamura said. “We knew that coming in. The goals that we conceded, was pretty soft goals. The goals we gave up were very deniable, and we’re getting punished.”
Montreal’s first goal came after the Dynamo gave the ball away in the middle of the field. The second score was off a set piece when the team was lackadaisical inside the box. Lappalainen’s goal came when the Dynamo had a numbers advantage inside the box.
“A few decisions led to errors and that cost us the game,” midfielder Coco Carrasquilla said. “We remain positive as a group. The team has the will to turn this around. We just haven’t been fortunate to snap out of this tough stretch.”
Added Nagamura: “We should have done much better. I know the team can do it.”
Ferreira’s goal in the 12th minute started off the scoring. Steres’ first goal of the season tied the game 2-2 in the 36th minute.
The score was 2-2 at the half.
Lack of attention cost the Dynamo in their previous game, a 2-1 loss at Vancouver. The Dynamo were more focused on Saturday.
“The guys came on with the right attitude and the right mind,” Nagamura said. “We need to be better at home. The guys responded well after that difficult result in Vancouver.”
Down 3-2 late against Montreal, the Dynamo came close to getting the equalizer when Ferreira’s attempt struck the crossbar.
Houston (7-14-4) witnessed first-hand Herrera’s passing skill set. A world-class long pass from the midfielder’s left foot set up Ferreira’s goal. Herrera showed his value in picking up his first assist in his seventh game since coming to the club last month.
Montreal (13-8-4) had a good response after conceding the first goal. Three minutes after Ferreira scored his team-leading eighth goal, former Dynamo
attacker Romell Quioto converted a penalty to equalize. Steve Clark guessed left and Quioto kicked it in for his teamleading 12th goal.
In the third minute of stoppage, Quioto missed a penalty over the crossbar.
Montreal took the lead 2-1 in the 28th minute. Alistair Johnston’s rightfooted shot from the right side of the box found the bottom left corner. The goal was assisted by Samuel Piette following a setpiece situation.
Steres’ equalizer was from close range to the bottom right corner, out of reach of goalkeeper James Pantemis. Memo Rodriguez assisted with a cross
following a corner.
“It was a good goal to get us back in the game,” Steres said. “We appreciate the support. We’re sorry we’re not giving them the results they deserve.”
The Dynamo made several lineup changes for Saturday’s game.
Defenders Ethan Bartlow and Zarek Valentin got the call. Tim Parker and Teenage Hadebe were unavailable. Parker is in COVID protocol and Hadebe is recovering from a leg injury. Rodriguez, who hasn’t gotten a lot of minutes of late, started at midfield, along with Carrasquilla and Herrera.
Bartlow came up with several big blocks.
Earlier Saturday, Houston signed defenders Talen Maples and Micael Dos Santos Silva on shortterm loans from Dynamo 2. Silva started the second half.
Montreal has had a remarkable turnaround in 2022. Outside of the playoffs last season, Montreal is third in Eastern Conference points. Houston came into Saturday in 12th place with 25 points, eight points behind the playoff line.
CF Montreal has won seven of its past 10 away matches, including the last three.
The Dynamo open a two-game road trip starting this upcoming Saturday at the Colorado Rapids.
The Dynamo return to PNC on Aug. 31 to host Los Angeles FC at 7:30 p.m.
“We have to shift our focus to the next opponent,” Carrasquilla said. “We are going to pick each other up and leave it all on the field.”