Dynamo 2, FC Dallas 0
(Quintero 20′, Ceren 83′)
A red card to Mauro Manotas just before halftime threatened to doom the Houston Dynamo to a sixth straight match without a win, but an inspired second-half performance saw the 10-man Dynamo hold off FC Dallas at BBVA Compass Stadium to take the latest installment of the Texas Derby.
Darwin Quintero’s 20th-minute goal stood up as the winner, while Darwin Ceren added an 80th-minute penalty kick for an insurance goal to help the Dynamo win their first match in a month.
Quintero nearly opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he blasted a shot off the crossbar. He wouldn’t have to wait long for some redemption as five minutes later Quintero scored the opener off a feed from Ariel Lassiter. The Dynamo pounced on an FC Dallas turnover and their quick counter caught the visitors on their heels, leaving Quintero his chance for a goal.
Manotas was ejected just before halftime for a studs-up challenge on Ricaurte, setting up a chance for FC Dallas to get back in the game, but Luchi Gonzalez’s team couldn’t translate the man advantage into dangerous opportunities, as the Dynamo did well defensively to avoid costly mistakes.
Ceren put the match out of reach by converting an 80th-minute penalty kick, which was awarded when Bryan Reynolds fouled Niko Hansen in the penalty area.
The Dynamo drew closer to a playoff berth in the Western Conference, ending the night tied on points with the Colorado Rapids, which sit in the final playoff spot in the West, but with three games in hand on the Dynamo.
The Dynamo travel to Florida to take on Inter Miami, while FC Dallas is now winless in four and will play host to Minnesota United on Sunday.
Man of the Match
Darwin Quintero was a threat throughout the match, rattling the crossbar with one shot, and scoring the opening goal.
Moment of the Match
The Mauro Manotas red card was a turning point in the match, but it wound up being one that galvanized the Dynamo rather than sparking FC Dallas.
Match to Forget
Thiago Santos committed the turnover that led to Houston’s opening goal, and was chasing shadows in midfield for much of the match.
NYCFC 4, D.C. United 1
(Castellanos 4′, Tajouri-Shradi 55′ 63′, Parks 88′) – (Kamara 12′)
An early penalty kick and a pair of Ismael Tajouri-Shradi goals in the second half helped New York City FC cruise to a comfortable win over the league-worst D.C. United at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.
NYCFC needed less than two minutes to take control, with Valentin Castellanos drawing a penalty foul by Julian Gressel and converting the spot kick for a fourth-minute lead.
D.C. United equalized in the 12th minute after Castellanos was whistled for a handball in the penalty area, a call that appeared harsh on replay. Ola Kamara beat Sean Johnson from the spot to give D.C. hope has the match remained tied heading into halftime.
The second half was all NYCFC, with Tajouri-Shradi converting a penalty in the 55th minute drawn by a handball in the penalty area.
Just seven minutes later it was Tajouri-Shradi again, converting an excellent pass from Anton Tinnerholm to make the score 3-1.
Keaton Parks sealed the win with an 88th-minute header finish to beat Bill Hamid.
NYCFC has won three straight matches and will look to edge closer to a top-four spot with a win against New England on Sunday. D.C. United has lost four straight and will head to Chicago on Sunday.
Man of the Match
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi gets the nod for his two goals, though Anton Tinnerholm was also deserving.
Moment of the Match
Tajouri-Shradi’s second goal was an excellent sequence, sparked by a perfect pass from Tinnerholm.
Match to Forget
Russell Canouse had a forgettable night, though so did most of his teammates.
Sporting KC 1, Fire 0
(Reid 67′)
Playing without star striker Alan Pulido, who was away on international duty, Sporting KC was still able to squeeze out a close win at Children’s Mercy Park, as Winston Reid’s second-half header secured all three points against the Chicago Fire.
The Fire nearly jumped out to a lead in the opening minutes when Tim Melia took down Fabian Herbers in the penalty area just 27 seconds into the match. Melia atoned for the mistake by saving Robert Beric’s subsequent penalty kick.
Sporting KC was lucky not to trail at halftime, especially after the Fire quickly converted a turnover into a golden chance, only for Djordje Mihailovic to send a shot at an open net off the post.
There weren’t many chances on the day, with each team mustering three shots on goal per game. Sporting KC made one of those count in the 68th minute when Reid headed home a Johnny Russell corner kick, beating Brandt Bronico to the ball for the only goal of the night.
The win leaves Sporting Kansas City just a point behind the Portland Timbers for second place in the Western Conference, with a home game against Nashville on Sunday. The Fire will look to regroup at home against lowly D.C. United.
Man of the Match
Winston Reid scored the winning goal, while also being dominant defensively. He finished the match with a game-high seven interceptions, to go with five clearances.
Moment of the Match
Tim Melia’s penalty save on Robert Beric set the tone for a good night for SKC.
Match to Forget
Beric had been on a roll for the Fire, but his streak of five straight matches with a goal ended at a bad time.