Houston Dynamo FC started their 2023 season on a bad slate as they lost 2-1 to FC Cincinnati on Sunday evening at TQL Stadium.
The game’s opening shot was made in the 16th minute by Cincinnati forward Sergio Santos off a cross from lvaro Barreal.
Three minutes later, the pair connected once more, and Santos scored the game’s opening goal by beating the Dynamo goalkeeper at the near post.
From Héctor Herrera’s corner kick in the first half’s final seconds, defender Tate Schmitt scored the equalizer.
Schmitt signed a contract with the Dynamo on February 17 after training with the squad throughout last preseason.
Obinna Nwobodo seized on a second ball inside the box in the 48th minute to give Cincinnati the advantage once more. Although his shot was blocked by a Dynamo defender, it still managed to cross the goal line.
Three minutes after the first goal, Barreal attempted a right-footed shot from the edge of the box, but Dynamo defender Franco Escobar stopped him.
Four players will make their Houston Dynamo debuts on Sunday evening, including Franco – The outside back won four duels and eight times overall.
In the 25th minute, midfielder Coco Carrasquilla dribbled toward the top of the box and forced a stop from goalie Roman Celentano.
In the 29th minute, Carrasquilla won a corner kick; the Cincinnati defense eventually cleared the ball after Ethan Bartlow originally recycled it.
With a shot from the edge of the six-yard box in the 31st minute, Dynamo forward Ivan Franco forced a save.
The Cincinnati defender blocked the Paraguayan playmaker’s original shot, which the video assistant referee ultimately decided was not a handball.
In the closing 15 minutes of the first half, Houston created two opportunities, the first of which was a second ball that dropped to Herrera.
Sebas Ferreira took his first shot of the game three minutes later.
When Franco was open beyond the box, Carrasquilla created one of Houston’s most perilous opportunities in the second half.
Carrasquilla received the ball at the top of the box after the Cincinnati defense cleared it; however, his shot narrowly missed the far post.
In the subsequent phase, Houston applied pressure in the final third, putting Cincinnati’s backline to the test once more.
In order to generate room for a shot, Franco skillfully dribbled within the box in the 66th minute, forcing a save.
When Franco was open beyond the box, Carrasquilla created one of Houston’s most perilous opportunities in the second half.
Carrasquilla received the ball at the top of the box after the Cincinnati defense cleared it; however, his shot narrowly missed the far post.
In the subsequent phase, Houston applied pressure in the final third, putting Cincinnati’s backline to the test once more.
In order to generate room for a shot, Franco skillfully dribbled within the box in the 66th minute, forcing a save.
In the 74th minute, Herrera was awarded a free kick outside the penalty area, and his subsequent attempt almost missed the near post’s inner corner. Two minutes after coming in, Thor lfarsson’s half-volley was deflected by a Cincinnati defender, earning him a free kick.
When Houston Dynamo hosts its home opener on March 18, the fully rebuilt Shell Energy Stadium will be unveiled.
