Huston Dynamo vs. New York Red Bulls
A pretty hectic game with many twists and turns on both sides eventually gave Huston Dynamo the win. This, despite of the hosts scattered defense that allowed New York Red Bulls to lead at early stages of the match. Still, the visitors’ even weaker defense, combined with terrible goalkeeping, allowed Huston to come back from the trail behind, and finish off the game in relative style.
June 6, 2015
Hosts Huston came into this game with somewhat of a mixed record in the past few matches. Ranked now 6th in the MLS Western Conference, with 14 appearances (4-5-5) and a total of 21 goals for this MLS season. In May the Dynamos have won 2 games (2-1 over Toronto FC away; 3-1 over Portland Timbers at home), tied once (1-1 vs NYCFC away) and lost 3 times (4-1 to Dallas at home, 1-0 to San Jose Earthquakes at home and 1-0 to LA Galaxy away).
Visitors New York Red bulls are arriving ranked 3rd in MLS Eastern Conference, with 12 appearances (4-5-5), 17 goals this season and after showing a promising start earlier in the season, the Red Bulls are having tough times recently. In May, the team registered only 1 win (2-1 over city rivals NYCFC at home), 1 tie (0-0 vs FC Dallas away) and 3 loses (2-1 to New England Revolution away; 2-0 to Philadelphia at home; 2-1 to Seattle Sounders away).
Huston Coach Owen Coyle presented a more standard 4-4-1-1 formation, with Forward Will Bruin up front, and the second Forward Giles Barnes behind, connecting between front and midfield.
New York’s Jesse Marsch chose a 4-2-3-1 structure with a more condensed, diamond-shape midfield. As in recent times, relying on Forward Bradley Wright-Phillips at the front, and attacking now-turned-playmaker Midfielder Sacha Kijestan behind Wright-Phillips.
Right from kickoff, Huston Dynamos seemed to have dictate the pace of the game, and have dominated possession of the ball for nearly all of the first half. Still, New York Red Bulls did create chances, namely 2 impressive attempts by Bradley Wright-Phillips (8’) and Mike Grella (20’). Huston Dynamo responded with their own attempts, Ricardo Clark (7’, 17’), Brad Davis (16’) Alexander Lopez (21’, 40’), Will Bruin (28’), Luis Garrido (32’) and overall more attempts than New York’s.
Despite clear advantage to Huston Dynamo during the first half, the first goal was actually New York’s. Bradley Wright-Phillips with a ball from the centre in front of the box is blocked by Huston’s defense, and passes to Mike Grella on the close left. Grella who takes a position inside the box goes for a 1-on-1 in against Dynamo’s Defender Raul Rodriguez, and with nifty legwork and dribbling scores a great goal (42’) right before halftime.
Huston Dynamo 0 – 1 New York Red Bulls
A good 15 minutes of the second half shows both sides are trying to set a tempo to the game. With many attempts and impressive saves on both sides. Despite the Red Bulls having the lead, Dynamo still appears to be the better team that applies more pressure and has more possession.
Huston’s efforts are rewarded when Will Bruin passes the ball to Oscar Garcia who is wide open on the right. Garcia arches the ball beautifully into New York’s net, with Red Bull’s keeper Luis Robles just standing and staring at the ball flying into the net above his head.
Huston Dynamo 1 – 1 New York Red Bulls
The Hosts continue to dominate and generate opportunities, until a Dynamo corner is deflected for Ricardo Clark to land it into New York’s net (72’) and give Huston the lead.
Huston Dynamo 2 – 1 New York Red Bulls
The home team continues to build on momentum, and less than 10 minutes later, Will Bruin receives a ball from Oscar Garcia, and somewhat selfishly manoeuvres the ball into the centre of the 18-yard line and scores with a powerful kick (80’).
Huston Dynamo 3 – 1 New York Red Bulls
New York came with a late reply, and on the last minute of the game, Anatole Bertrand Abang received an assist from the left by Marius Obekop and scored a header goal into Huston’s net (90’).
Huston Dynamo 3 – 2 New York Red Bulls
Still, Dynamo’s Will Bruin apparently did not have enough, and took his last shot of the game from the centre of the box, to score his 7th goal this MLS season (93’) and finish off the match.
Huston Dynamo 4 – 2 New York Red Bulls
Overall, Huston Dynamo was the better team tonight, with more of a consist form, both in the first half, but more impressively in the second half of the game. New York Red Bulls did create opportunities, and hence scored twice. However, were punished by Huston for too many unforced errors of the Red Bulls defense and goalkeeper.
