Orlando City had a chance to inch back into playoff contention, but they could not hold on to an early lead as the Houston Dynamo woke up after the break to claim a 2-1 win Saturday night in Texas.
The visitors went ahead after just six minutes when Dom Dwyer headed in a Mauricio Pereyra free kick to score for a second straight game. The rest of the half was played in waves, as both teams seemingly took turns pushing forward albeit with little effect.
Houston came out with much more energy after the break, and the inclusion of substitute Memo Rodriguez sparked the second-half comeback.
After leading the push, Rodriguez created the first goal when he turned on a ball at the top of the box and advanced it to Christian Ramirez on the left side. Ramirez one-timed a cross to the back post where Alberth Elis beat his man to head in the equalizer.
Houston kept Orlando confused and took the lead minutes later. Mauro Manotas tracked down a long ball on the left and went at goal, cutting on Lamine Sane before sending a ball across for Ramirez to tap in his third goal in orange.
Orlando had a flurry of shots in a short spell later on, but could not get any past Joe Willis.
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Goals
- 6’ — ORL — Dom Dwyer | WATCH
- 70’ — HOU — Alberth Elis | WATCH
- 73’ — HOU — Christian Ramirez | WATCH
Three Things
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: The move by Manotas to set up the winner...
Next Up
- HOU: Wednesday, Sept. 25 at LAFC (10:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
- ORL: Saturday, Sept. 29 at Cincinnati (5:00 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
