Houston Dynamo FC pick up a crucial 2 points vs Santos Laguna

Written by David Garcia

In the fourth matchup between Santos Laguna and Houston Dynamo, the Dynamo took the extra point in penalties by a 5-4 score.

The match would start back and forth and would be like that for the entire match. In the 14th minute, Corey Baird would open the scoring by poking the ball softly but located enough to beat Goalkeeper Manuel Lajud. The Dynamo would double their lead thanks to a beautiful curler by Griffin Dorsey in the 26th minute. Hector Herrera nearly tripled the lead in the 38th minute but a goal line clearance by Santos maintained the score as it was. Steve Clark made a couple of saves but could not stop Harold Preciado’s low driven shot in the 45th minute.

The match would enter halftime 2-1 to the Dynamo but the match was open for any team.

Ibrahim Aliyu also nearly obtained Houston’s third goal in the 57th minute but Felix Torres made another goal line clearance for Santos. Micael would foul Harold Preciado in the box and after a VAR check for a potential offside, a penalty was awarded and Preciado would earn his brace in the 63rd minute. After the match was tied at 2, both teams would press for a game winner but neither would score which lead to a 2-2 draw and yet another penalty shootout for the Dynamo.

The Dynamo would convert all of their initial five penalties and Santos would match that until their fifth penalty was skied, giving Houston the additional point.

We asked Ben Olsen what led to the increase in shots on target this game compared to last. He stated that part of it was due to the game being open and back and forth. He also mentioned that the team selection was more offensive and that there were one or two that the team must see out. Dynamo captain Hector Herrera mentioned “Well, we wanted to win. We won on penalties, but it was not what we expected."

The final match of this group will be on Saturday between Santos and Orlando.

There are many scenarios where the Dynamo could be placed winners/second in the group or even eliminated:

• Santos wins in regulation- Dynamo host Pachuca

• Orlando wins in PK's - Dynamo host Pachuca

• Santos win in PK's if regulation ends with a 0-0 score - Dynamo play at Miami

• Santos win in PK's if regulation ends with a 1-1 score - Dynamo play at Miami

• Santos win in PK's if regulation ends with a 2-2 score - Dynamo host Pachuca

• Santos win in PK's if regulation ends with a 3-3 or more score - Dynamo are out of the Leagues Cup

If the Dynamo were to be eliminated, they would not have a game until August 20th against Portland Timbers.