Written by Juan Pereira

Photo by Houston Dynamo FC

Before the international break, Ben Olsen and his Dynamo side were trying to take advantage of their newfound momentum after a massive win against Colorado. Although they weren’t able to get another victory, Houston was able to enter the break with lifted spirits due to a good performance against Portland which ended with them taking home a point.

Of course, this game started off well for the Dynamo, as it was Sebastian Kowalczyk who opened the scoring in the ninth minute. The midfielder has begun to show some signs of being a good finisher in front of goal.

“I am doing my job game by game and day by day,” Kowalczyk said. “It’s more important to me that the team is winning than who is scoring.”

After Hector Herrera delivered a corner kick, the loose ball found Ethan Bartlow, who’s shot attempt almost turned into a sort of assist. Kowalczyk was the man at the right place and time.

The second Dynamo goal came thanks to Hector Herrera and Coco Carrasquilla . The Panamanian international gained the ball after Houston pressed high, and after some combination play, Herrera fit a nicely tucked in pass to Carrasquilla who was left wide open by the Portland defense.

Portland scored their first goal of the match in the 37th minute off of a transition moment that took advantage of Houston’s high line. Jonathan Rodriguez found Felipe Mora inside the box for an easy tap in.

In the second half, Portland found yet another equalizer, this time off of a set piece from Evander. Portland’s star player delivered a beautiful pass into the box that found Nathan Fogaca’s head.

Houston had one more key moment in the 83rd minute, when Kowalzcyk scored his second goal of the match, but unfortunately for the visitors, Ibrahim Aliyu was caught in an offside position during the play.

In stoppage time, Tarbell was called upon to keep the game tied. The Dynamo goalkeeper made two key saves during that time to secure a point for the Dynamo. 

“We just had to trust that goals were going to come with as many chances and shots as we were putting up,” Ben Olsen said after being asked about Houston’s recent success in front of goal. “When we get back from the break, we’ll have a sense of urgency to finish plays and climb up the table.”

After the international break, the Houston Dynamo will travel to face off against Atlanta United FC. It will be interesting to see if Ben Olsen’s side can continue their good stretch of form on the road against a team with a lot of talent up top.