Nashville SC and the Houston Dynamo drew 1-1 in the first-ever meeting between the two sides on Saturday at Nissan Stadium. Maynor Figueroa provided a late equalizer for the Dynamo while Daniel Rios scored NSC's lone goal.
The first half saw few chances, but Nashville managed to put the ball in the back of the net in the 33rd minute thanks to Rios. However, the flag went up as the ball crossed the line and video showed he was slightly offside. Houston did net four shots on target during the first half, but nothing that truly threatened the Nashville defense.
Early into the second half, Rios sent the ball into the back of net a second time — but this time, there was no question that the goal would stand. Derrick Jones, who came on for Alex Muyl at halftime, broke away from the Houston defense and easily slotted to Rios on the right for the first goal of the night.
It looked as though the hosts would grab the win until, in the 89th minute, Figueroa equalized for the Dynamo off a set piece as the two sides split the points.
Goals
Three Things:
- THE BIG PICTURE: With the last-minute draw, Houston pulled itself into 9th in the Western Conference, within a point of Real Salt Lake and the playoffs. However, it's important to note that the competition has at least one game in hand, while the Galaxy, in 11th, have two games to make up. Meanwhile, Nashville remain in 9th, tied with Montreal Impact above the playoff line.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: The hosts could have gathered momentum in the first half had Rios' goal not been ruled offside, and gone into the locker room with an entirely different mood. Nashville did manage to get the first goal, but it could have used the extra cushion to grab all three points.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Daniel Rios. Though he ended up with just one goal, Rios has been Nashville's most consistent option up top and showed why he'll provide some competition upon Jhonder Cadiz's arrival.
Next Up
- NSH: Saturday, October 3 at New England Revolution (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, NBC Sports Boston, MyTV30 in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
- HOU: Saturday, October 3 vs Sporting Kansas City (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, QuestTEXAS Ch. 55, FOX Sports KC in US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
