Match vs. Galaxy a must-win
Optimism now shifts to urgency for the Dynamo following their 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers on Saturday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Reunion, Fla.
The Dynamo (0-1-1, 1 point) enter their final group stage match against the L.A. Galaxy needing a win to advance to knockout play. The Galaxy (0-0-2, 0 points) will look to salvage their tournament after suffering a second consecutive loss, a 6-2 defeat to Los Angeles FC (1-0-1, 4 points) on Saturday.
“We knew coming into the game that this would be a hard one,” Dynamo defender Adam Lundkvist said. “We conceded two very easy goals, kind of put us in a bad situation. We battled for the whole game. We showed great team spirit. We just need to be more efficient in front of the goal.”
Efficiency certainly was the issue for a team that created twice as many chances as Portland (2-0-0, 6 points).
The Dynamo had 24 shots (but just four on goal) to Portland’s 13 (seven on goal). Houston also failed to convert any of its five corner kicks.
With forward Darwin Quintero starting up top opposite Alberth Elis, coach Tab Ramos planned to bring Quintero inside to create room for Lundkvist to attack wide. His plan was a partial success, as it led to “around 20 crosses” by Ramos’ count, but “we just weren’t able to cash in on them.”
Portland forward Jeremy Ebobisse scored his second goal of the tournament through a powerful 35thminute strike that beat goalkeeper Marko Maric to the corner.
Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala initiated a 61st-minute attack with a long ball that put Eryk Williamson in space just outside the area. Williamson fixed a pass into Diego Valeri, who quickly maneuvered around Dynamo defender Aljaz Struna and slotted the ball into the far corner to double the lead.
Houston found a lifeline when referee Ismail Elfath determined an Elis header hit the arm of Portland defender Jorge Villafaña, leading to a penalty that Elis converted in the 86th minute.
The goal pushed Elis past Giles Barnes for fifth in club history with 32 career goals. But two minutes later, he was shown a red card and ejected.
The club has appealed Elis’ 88th-minute yellow card, which led to his ejection. It could receive a decision from the league by Monday.
“Overall, I think it was a good game for both squads,” Ramos said. “We certainly went forward a lot, which is what we want to be doing. We are creating opportunities against good teams, and the effort of the team was really good, so I’m happy with that.”
Now Houston looks ahead to facing the Galaxy. The Dynamo drew L.A. 1-1 in its late February season opener before the coronavirus pandemic-delayed restart.
The Dynamo are third in Group F, a spot above the Galaxy. The first- and second-place teams from all six groups will advance to the round of 16, along with the top four third-place squads based on points earned.
With one point through two games, Houston sits on the edge of third-place qualification. A win likely would elevate the team into the postseason, although it would need Portland’s help to have a shot at a secondplace spot.
“Every game is a mustwin,” Ramos said. “We are in a group with three difficult opponents. It will most likely be a must-win for them too. At the moment, we have one point. With a win, we likely get into the second round. So we are playing for something. The disappointing part is the red card to Elis, and I’m not sure where that came from.”