Houston Dynamo FC earned their first three points of the season in their home opener after beating Austin FC 2-0 at Shell Energy Stadium.
Both teams needed a victory over their state rival to make up for the bad results they both have had so far this 2023. The Orange came to this match after losing their first two matches of the MLS season, whereas the Verde became the fist MLS club to be eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League by a Caribbean team (Violette 3-2 in aggregate).
Also, this match was very important for the Dynamo because they were back home after 5 months of not playing in front of their fans in their renovated Shell Energy Stadium. In addition, they needed a good result to show that the new project under head coach Ben Olsen will work.
The intensity of the match was high. Both teams tried to get the win from the starting whistle. In their first half, the away team had better chances to open up the scoreboard. However, there were many imprecisions in the offensive line. It seemed like Sebastian Driussi and Maxi Urruti were not comfortable in the last third. Part of that was because Diego Fagundez and Emiliano Rigoni struggled in midfield to build up plays, and part was because Houston midfielders closed spaces to make it hard of the visitors.
Dynamo created some chances in the first half, but the best offensive options the home team had were on the second half. Paraguayan Ivan Franco was a key player for the Orange along with Mexican international Hector Herrera. HH, without a doubt, had his best match since he arrived to Houston last summer.
In addition, the home team needed to have a nearly perfect match in their backline, and they delivered. Ethan Bartlow and Teenage Hadebe control the few chances Austin had in offense. Also, goalkeeper Steve Clark had a good match after showing some inconsistencies in the first two matches of the season.
The first goal came in for Houston via a Penalty Kick at the 71st minute after the VAR confirmed there was a handball by a Austin player inside the box. Amine Bassi scored from the spot to give Houston the lead.
The second goal of the night was scored by Hector Herrera after a great play by him and defender Griffin Dorsey, who passed the ball back to the Dynamo captain for the final 2-0.
Now, Houston will have another important match at home when they host NYC FC on Saturday March 25th. The same day, Austin FC will host Colorado Rapid at Q2 Stadium.
