The Houston Dynamo unveiled their new-look squad on Saturday, and defeated reigning MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders 2-1 in the teams' 2017 MLS regular season opener at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Erick "Cubo" Torres opened his Dynamo account 20 minutes in, with a well-taken free kick. Romell Quioto, in his debut, then opened his own account, with a beautiful curling shot just before halftime. Clint Dempsey scored on his competitive return just before the hour mark for the Sounders to cut the lead, but the rally fell short.
Goals
- 20' – HOU – Erick "Cubo" Torres Watch
- 42' – HOU – Romell Quioto Watch
- 58' – SEA – Clint Dempsey Watch
Three Things
YOUNG ATTACK PACES DYNAMO: Let's say this off the top: The Dynamo victory was a full team effort, and the retooled roster under new coach Wilmer Cabrera all did their part to get three points. But the highlight in said team effort was up top, with Torres, Quioto and Alberth Elis finding an instant rapport and interchanging roles in the attack. With the two goals coming from the group, and both goals being made singlehandedly by each of the scorers, concerns for a No. 10 in Houston may turn out to be overblown.
CHAMPIONSHIP HANGOVER? The Sounders picked up the intensity in the second half, but they effectively sleepwalked through the first, and by halftime the damage was done. Getting Dempsey back on the board will surely boost the Sounders moving forward, but for having a full-strength lineup on the night, Seattle's first game since their MLS Cup triumph was curiously flat.
IMPORTANT GOAL FOR CUBO:
Torres has now scored 23 goals in MLS, but despite signing with Houston ahead of the 2015 season, he had not scored in his first two seasons at the club, in 22 total appearances. If Cubo can find consistent scoring form, Houston's opening-night surprise may not be a fluke this season.
