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.