Cristian Maidana scored the winning goal in the 95th minute of the match at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, July 3, 2016 in Houston. Photo: Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika
The Houston Dynamo know this story all too well, a late goal in the final minutes to change the result. This time, however, they walked out the winners.
For 94 minutes and change, it looked like the Dynamo would repeat a scoreless encounter in MLS play at home (they tied 0-0 vs. D.C. United two weeks ago).
Their last opportunity to change the result of the game would come in the 94th minute when Oscar Boniek Garcia was fouled just outside the box by Philadelphia Union midfielder, and former Houston Dynamo, Warren Creavalle.
Then, against the team that traded him and teammate Andrew Wenger to Houston last December, Cristian Maidana asked to take the free kick. ‘Chaco’ looked at the position under goal of keeper Andre Blake and proceeded to curl in a stunner to send BBVA Compass Stadium into a frenzy.
“I just wanted to play,” said Maidana about facing his former team. “The trade that brought me here did me well. I’ve been treated really well by the entire club. I wanted to play because I still have a lot of teammates there and we’ve talked before the game about the outcome. I told them to be ready because this team is working hard. I was well prepared to show tonight that I want to play and that I want to win.”
First win under interim Head Coach Wade Barrett
Houston Dynamo Interim Head Coach Wade Barrett looks on from the sideline during the first half. Photo: Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika
The Houston Dynamo picked up an important three points that, for the moment, keep them tied at 17 with the second-to-last Seattle Sounders. The Dynamo currently sit in 10th and last place in the West due to goal difference and Seattle also has an extra game in hand but the win keeps them from staying still and falling behind.
“Once again I’m proud of the group,” said Barrett after the game. “It was a tough game and they’re a good opponent…I know Chaco (MF Cristián Maidana) had the goal tonight, but his effort and the energy that he brought when he came onto the field was the biggest thing. The goal of course probably counts the most, but the energy, the possession, looking to get on the ball, looking to make those passes, that was the difference. I thought we looked like the team that would get a goal towards the end Chaco was a huge part of that.”
Still “Top of the East” for the Union
The Philadelphia Union bench during the first half of the match in Houston. Photo: Victor Araiza/Prost Amerika
The Philadelphia Union remain at the top of the Eastern Conference even with the loss.
“Disappointing to drop a point that late,” said Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin. “I think we had a little bit of [momentum]we had been playing Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday for a while now. [We] just could not find the extra energy to push them and get a goal…It is a hard place to come and play in difficult conditions. Obviously, the field is poor, the weather is hot. Our guys fought hard, had some decent moments, but at the end of the day credit to Houston.”
Curtin also noted in his post game presser the absence of forwards Fabian Herbers (hamstring injury), Sebastien Le Toux (concussion) along with the return from injury of C.J. Sapong, who entered the match as a substition in the 63rd minute.
Goalkeeper Andre Blake also made his first start since returning from representing Jamaica at the Copa America Centenario.
Union defender Joshua Yaro was yellow carded in the 2nd minute and received a second yellow in the 87th minute to leave the game. If the red card holds, he will miss the next match.
Next matches
The next match for the Houston Dynamo will be Friday, July 8 at Orlando City SC (8pm ET; UniMás). Philadelphia Union return home to face D.C. United on Saturday, July 9 (7pm ET; MLS LIVE).
Houston Dynamo (4-8-5; 17 points) vs. Philadelphia Union (7-5-5; 26 points)
MLS Regular Season
July 2, 2016 – BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, Texas
Attendance: 18,457
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Cristían Maidana 2 (unassisted) 90+5
Houston Dynamo: Tyler Deric; Jalil Anibaba, David Horst, Raúl Rodriguez, DaMarcus Beasley ©; Collen Warner; Giles Barnes (Andrew Wenger 84), Ricardo Clark, Alex Lima (Cristián Maidana 69), Boniek García; Will Bruin (Mauro Manotas 60)
Unused substitutes: Joe Willis, Agus, David Rocha, Sheanon Williams
TOTAL SHOTS: 18 (Cristián Maidana 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 8 (Will Bruin, Cristían Maidana and David Horst tied with 2); FOULS: 8 (Raúl Rodriguez 3); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 8 (Alex Lima and Giles Barnes tied with 3); SAVES: 2 (Tyler Deric 2)
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Keegan Rosenberry, Joshua Yaro, Richie Marquez, Fabinho; Brian Carroll ©, Tranquillo Barneta (Ken Tribbett 88); Ilsinho, (Leo Fernandes 63) Roland Alberg (C.J. Sapong 63), Warren Creavalle, Chris Pontius
Unused substitutes: Raymond Gaddis, John McCarthy, Walter Restrepo, Cole Missimo
TOTAL SHOTS: 7 (C.J. Sapong 2); SHOTS ON GOAL: 2 (C.J. Sapong and Tranquillo Barnetta tied with 1); FOULS: 9 (Brian Carroll, Joshua Yaro and Warren Creavalle tied with 2);
OFFSIDES: 4 (Brian Carroll, Roland Alberg, Tranquillo Barnetta and C.J. Sapong tied with 1); CORNER KICKS: 3 (Tranquillo Barnetta 3); SAVES: 6 (Andre Blake 6)
Disciplinary Summary:
PHI: Joshua Yaro (caution) 2
PHI: Joshua Yaro (ejection) 87
Referee: Edvin Jurisevic
Assistant Referees: Mike Rottersman, Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Ismail Elfath
Victor Araiza is a beat writer covering the Houston Dynamo for Prost Amerika.
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Philadelphia Union
