Dynamo keep ConcaChampions journey alive!

Erik Sviatchenko runs to the corner to cel his first Dynamo goal with the squad. (Credit: Moises Montes, DFTV)

Written by Rosendo Castillo
Edited by Jorge Sapon

The Dynamo played St. Louis SC at home Tuesday after dark in their 2nd leg of their 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign.

The Dynamo went into the match down 2-1 in aggregate. The Dynamo did have a crucial away goal that made the match feel like the aggregate was tied up. There were 4 changes to the line up from the first leg which included Segal, Gregus, Steres and Bartlow, all getting their first start of the season.
The first half took a few minutes to get into rhythm, but did not take long when in the 10th minute, the first chance of the match went to Segal as his shot flew into hands of keeper Roman Bürki. The next big opportunity came in the 24th when a run on the right from Dorsey set up for a low cross in front of goal that just missed Segal sliding in to score. On the defensive side a big save from Clark came in the 27th minute as he was one on one with St. Louis SC’s Adeniran, who took advantage of a bad pass in the defensive third. Another big opportunity came in the 34th minute but Bürki came up with the double save from a long shot from Gregus and the rebound from Kowalczyk. And the stalemate continued until the first half whistle blew.

Steve Clark remaining calm after STL’s dangerous chances. (Credit: Jorge Sapon, DFTV)

The 2nd half began with a substitution from the home side as Sviatchenko went in for Micael at center back. In the 55th minute a big sliding tackle by Bartlow on SLSC’s winger kept things nil-nil. It wouldn‘t take long in the second half for some action as in the 60th minute, Sviatchenko, off a set piece would put the home team on top as he netted his first goal in Orange, and for the time being, put the Dynamo up in aggregate.

That first goal feeling! (Credit: Moises Montes, DFTV)

In the 61st minute Olsen made a double substitution as Bassi and Escobar went in for Coco and Steres. Both men getting their first minutes of the season as both were not available for the first leg nor the MLS season opener. The match became a must score for St. Louis as they took the opportunity to press with numbers but the Dynamo’s defense held up. It was the 75th minute that Olsen looked to his bench as Aliyu went in for Smith out on the wing. Olsen once again made a substitution in the 81st minute as Tate went into the match as Dorsey seemed to suffer a leg injury that required help from the medical staff to safely help him get off the pitch. The Dynamo had to endure an additional 5 minutes of stoppage time where they created another chance by Segal and Escobar being booked with a yellow.

The Dynamo advance to the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup finishing 2-2 in the aggregate score line with the important away goal from the first leg. The Dynamo will now take on defending MLS champs, the Columbus Crew, in a 2 game series beginning on Wednesday, March 6th at home and away at Columbus on Tuesday, March 12th. The Dynamo’s next match will be on Saturday, March 2nd at 7:30pm C.T. at home vs New York Red Bulls.