By IVES GALARCEP
The Houston Dynamo didn’t play like they usually do at home, but the Colorado Rapids weren’t able to make the most of an uncharacteristically flat Dynamo performance and gave Giles Barnes enough room to deliver some magic and keep Houston unbeaten at BBVA Compass Stadium.
With the Rapids leading on the strength of a Drew Moor header, Barnes stepped up and delivered a brilliant equalizer, taking a long Tally Hall goal kick and dribbling at the Rapids defense before unleashing an 18-yard blast past Clint Irwin that helped the Dynamo salvage a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
The Dynamo pushed their home unbeaten streak in all competitions to 36, and gave them the record for most consecutive MLS home matches without a loss with 30.
Colorado took the action to Houston in the first half, creating more chances and really testing Houston’s normally stingy defense. The Rapids broke through in first-half stoppage time when Moor skied up to head home a Dillon Powers corner kick for his 17th career goal.
The Dynamo finally found the net in the 66th minute when Barnes belted a right-footed shot into the top corner of the net to tie the match.
Neither team could find the winner, and Houston saw the match end on a sour note when star midfielder Brad Davis was issued a last-minute red card for a challenge on Nathan Sturgis. The red card will rule Davis out of next week’s MLS Cup rematch vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The road draw was a positive result for the Rapids, though they did play well enough to take all three points. The result is a bittersweet one for Colorado though, as they appeared to suffer yet another injury, with Honduran midfielder Hendry Thomas forced to leave the match with a knee injury.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? Surprised at how flat Houston looked? Starting to think Colorado is cursed due to all these injuries?
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