The Houston Dynamo broke a five-game winless streak with an emphatic 4-0 win over the less-than-full-strength New York Red Bulls Wednesday night at BBVA Stadium behind two goals and an assist from Alberth Elis.
With the Red Bulls already shorthanded due to international duty and injuries, New York sat far deeper than their reputation for high pressing and ultimately paid the price. What's worse, they lost two of the regulars who did play, Michael Amir Murillo and Kaku, to red cards. Houston continue in the top four of the Western Conference mostly thanks to their performances at home.
Houston's first goal came in the 39th minute when the Dynamo switched the field to Elis, who took advantage of space afforded him to whip in a low cross that Mauro Manotas finished off.
In the second half, following a corner punched clear by Luis Robles, Houston's Tomas Martinez skipped a low shot through traffic and just inside the right post to effectively seal the result. Elis added two late goals, heading in a cross from Romell Quioto and then racing 20 yards virtually unchallenged before hitting a low shot that trickled in off Robles' hands.
Murillo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the 85th minute, and both Kaku and Maynor Figueroa were ejected following a stoppage-time confrontation.
Goals
- 39' – HOU – Mauro Manotas | WATCH
- 56' – HOU – Tomas Martinez | WATCH
- 72' – HOU – Alberth Elis | WATCH
- 95'+ – HOU – Alberth Elis | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Houston needed this and got it in emphatic fashion, remaining unbeaten at 7-0-3 at BBVA Stadium. With Sunday's game at Atlanta United much more impactful on the Eastern Conference race, the Red Bulls cannot have been surprised with the outcome, but losing Murillo and Kaku to suspension may be just as disheartening as the loss itself.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Martinez's goal, bounding through traffic, essentially sealed the match with a full 34 minutes remaining.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Even before Alberth Elis scored his goals, he had been the game's most dangerous player, setting up the opening goal and the chance that led to the second. From start to finish, Elis took advantage of the space allowed by the Red Bulls' low-pressure look.
Next Up
- HOU: Sat., July 6 at FC Cincinnati (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; DAZN in Canada)
- NY: Sun., July 7 at Atlanta United (2 pm ET | FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports Go in US; DAZN in Canada)
