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Torres’ hat-trick propels Dynamo past visiting Red Bulls

Photo by Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports

After failing to record a goal in his first two seasons in Houston, Dynamo forward Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres looks to have found his goal-scoring form early in his third season.

The Mexican international netted a hat-trick in his side’s 4-1 victory against the visiting New York Red Bulls, Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium. However, it wasn’t the start the hosts imagined as the visitors went up early.

Bradley Wright-Phillips’ second goal of the season put Jesse Marsch’s side up after 13 minutes. The 32-year-old forward finished off Sacha Kljestan’s assist into the bottom-left corner for a 1-0 Red Bulls lead.

A minute later saw a great response from the Dynamo, as defender Dylan Remick headed home an equalizer into the top-right corner.

A pair of Mauro Monotas efforts were saved by Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles to keep the score tied at 1-1. Four minutes into halftime saw Torres net his second goal of the match, putting the Dynamo ahead 2-1. Manotas had drawn the foul inside the box from Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle.

Torres extended the Dynamo’s lead to 3-1 in the 56th minute, scoring with a right-footed effort to the high center of the goal.

Offensively, the Red Bulls failed to make the most of their chances as Wright-Phillips and Kjlestan saw efforts blocked.

Torres’ perfect evening was completed in the 91st minute, after the striker completed his hat-trick from a free-kick. It was Torres’ first multi-goal game since netting a brace for Chivas USA back in September 2013.

Robles made six saves in the loss for the Red Bulls, their second of the young season. Offensively, Marsch’s side only created three shots on goal, and were poor in the back-end. The Red Bulls (2-1-2) will hope for a quick turnaround as face Orlando City on April 9 at Orlando City Stadium.

The Dynamo (3-0-1) now sit in second-place in the MLS Western Conference. They will look to build on this victory as they travel to face the New England Revolution on April 8.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Erick Torres has been a bright spot for the Dynamo in the early months this season, and has helped contribute after a poor season a year ago. After not scoring for the Dynamo the past two seasons, Torres now has six goals in his four matches this season.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The 41st minute penalty kick goal by Torres really flipped the script for the remaining 45+ minutes. The goal gave the Dynamo a lead they would not relinquish, and really killed the Red Bulls mentality. Torres went on to net his second before the hour-mark which really ended any threat the Red Bulls posed for the remainder of the match.

MATCH TO FORGET

With the exception of Wright-Phillips and Kjlestan who helped the Red Bulls net their only goal of the match, a lot of players had poor showings Saturday evening. Midfielder Daniel Royer lost possession 14 times, and was rarely a threat offensively, giving Kljestan more work than he already had to do.

Comments

  1. I don’t think that Houston is the top team, but they ARE on top, which is more important.

    I wonder if NYBR are regretting some of the moves they made, based on my viewing one game and reading about the others. Maybe it pays off in the long run.

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  2. BWP just turned 32, so if you’re going to make him a DP again, you don’t have a lot of margin for error on the rest of your roster.

    On the flip side, Houston swapped their 3rd DP slot from DMB to Elis and finally found a coach and system for Torres.

    A salary capped league will always place a premium on Coaching and and the ability to evaluate players

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  3. Houston look the real deal. Good for Torres,…great start. Very happy for Wilmer Cabrera.

    Red Bull’s,…well? Anemic draw at home vs an RSL team that just got blown out by Minnesota (!) and now they are blown out by Houston. I will write this one more time,…love what they have down with continuity, youth development,…but BWP and SK are not enough to make them a championship caliber team. They are out of CCL and looking average in MLS league play. Tactically they are one dimensional. Bottom line is that they need a difference maker. (For God’s sake even Nelson Rodriquez figured that out for the Fire. Sweinsteiger with an impressive start!)

    I am thinking that Hamlett and Marsh’s hands are tied and that Corporate won’t let them sign a quality DP. Pity.

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  4. Thought Torres might revert back to old form without his super dynamic Hondobros, but it’s looking more and more like Coyle was a horrific Coach for MLS. Just imagine if the Front Office has listened to all the current and former Dynamo players that wanted Wade Barrett to be Coach. Think of all the draws the Dynamo are missing out on

    “The club went 4-7-11 under Barrett after a 3-7-2 spell under Coyle.”

    https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2016/10/27/wade-barrett-houston-dynamo-players-wilmer-cabrera

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