Written by David Garcia

The Houston Dynamo have been defeated 2-1 by Real Salt Lake marking the team’s third straight home loss.

43 seconds into the match, the visitors took the lead on a counterattack as Emeka Eneli found a wide-open Diogo Goncalves inside the box. It was a quick goal for the visitors but the Dynamo were able to equalize it in the 17th minute. Jack McGlynn’s dime of a Free Kick cross would connect with Ezequiel Ponce’s header in the back post to tie the match. It appeared that the Dynamo had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Amine Bassi struck a volley just outside the box into the net but a fast VAR check determined no goal. The referee who must provide reasoning to the VAR decision did NOT explain himself. Houston would be forced into a substitution in the 37th minute as Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell would get injured. Replacing him and making his debut was Jimmy Maurer. Seven minutes of stoppage time were added. Unfortunately for the Dynamo, RSL would take the lead on a cross from Dominik Marczuk, who found Diego Luna’s header. After the goal, Franco Escobar was given a yellow card due to dissent. Bode Hidalgo was also booked for RSL a couple of minutes later and the game entered the halftime break.

The Dynamo began the half on the search for the equalizer once again. RSL would make the game's first change in the 57th minute. A minute later, Ethan Bartlow would be booked. Ten minutes later, RSL would make two more substitutions. Still, in search of a goal, Erik Dueñas would come on for Nicolas Lodeiro in the 75th minute. Four minutes later, RSL would make a substitution followed by a Dynamo double substitution in the 81st minute. Gabe Segal and Daniel Steres came on for Sebastian Kowalczyk and Franco Escobar. Despite the Dynamo’s effort and three minutes of stoppage time, the team fell short once again. 

The Men in Orange will now have an exhibition match against El Salvador on Wednesday, March 19th before traveling away to Seattle on Saturday, March 22nd.