Amid six straight matches without wins, Dynamo coach Tapp Ramos has stopped looking at the standings. He was only focusing on achieving victory.
The victory on Wednesday came despite unexpected odds at BBVA Stadium. Dynamo FC defeated Dallas 2-0.
“It was about the effort, and it was about being together and fighting as a team,” Ramos said. “I really couldn’t be proud of the team today. The effort was amazing at a moment when we needed to win.”
Goalkeeper Marco Marek starred with Dynamo minus the best striker.
Striker Mauro Manotas definitely started the match – although Dynamo played without Mimo Rodriguez (a right thigh injury), Minor Figueroa and Mathias Vera (accumulating yellow cards).
But Manutas was sent off after he received a red card for slipping into Andres Recorte two minutes into stoppage time in the first half.
Ramos said: “He just tried to make a good effort, and unfortunately made a bad mistake.” “It forced us to go 4-4-1, leaving Darwin (Quintero) in the lead, and Darwin showed that he could put this team on his shoulders.”
Manotas’ absence jeopardized Houston’s early 1-0 lead, which came in the 20th minute.
Striker Ariel Lasseter passed the ball from the Dallas player and charged into the area. He fired a pass from inside to Quintero, who fired his shot through the legs of a defender and bypassed the outstretched goalkeeper to the corner of the net.
Marek faced 12 shots in the first half, more than Houston’s in the entire match. He made eight saves in 28 shots.
“Marco gave a great game,” Ramos said. “Obviously he made a bunch of big saves, and I think he led the defense really well. I think he’s communicating well, and I think he’s trying to build on his experience in the league, so that’s great.
The attack continued during the second half. However, Ramos kept pressing the man below him. Forwards Christian Ramirez and Niko Hansen added in the 70th minute.
The gamble paid off in the 81st minute when FC Dallas defender Brian Reynolds was penalized for attacking Hansen in the area with a counterattack. Two minutes later, midfielder Darwin Serene scored the penalty kick to seal Houston’s victory.
Ramos’ first win in the Texas Derby after a draw by Houston (4-5-7, 19 points) and then lost to Dallas (5-4-6, 21 points) earlier this year.
Unbelievably, Houston won despite severe defects in possession (71.6-28.4) and shots (28-11) in more than 100 minutes on Wednesday. Six yellow cards were issued plus a Manotas penalty in the first half.
“We’re winning here. We need to quickly put this away and focus on Miami on Saturday.” Once we get the points on Saturday, we can look at the rest (of the ranking). ”
