Castillo’s late goal lifts FC Dallas by Houston 1-0
By Louis Roesch
The Houston Dynamo were eliminated from the US Open Cup Wednesday night after losing to FC Dallas 1-0.
The Houston Dynamo dominated the second half everywhere but on the scoreboard where a Fabian Castillo goal in the 90th minute sent FC Dallas on to the semifinals of the 2016 U.S. Open Cup. The win eliminates Houston who had sought their first semifinal berth since 2009. The 1-0 win keeps alive Dallas’ dream of hoisting the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophy for the first time in franchise history.
“It’s a terrible way to lose,” said a frustrated Houston Dynamo interim head coach Wade Barrett after the match. “I know the guys are disappointed but I talked about taking whatever disappointment we have,whatever frustration we have and use that in a positive way heading into the weekend.”
Frustration showed throughout the match as Houston had the better opportunities from the opening whistle but could not get one past FCD keeper Chris Sietz.
Houston defender Jalil Anibaba picked out Mauro Manotas on a cross, but Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz jumped in front to thwart the attack in the seventh minute.
In the 4oth minute, Anibaba was at it again with a ball that sprung midfielder Andrew Wenger free down the side with his ensuing cross narrowly missing Manotas.
Eight minutes later, the young Columbian was robbed on the doorstep by Seitz off a cross from defender Abdoullie Mansally. That near miss was followed by a rocket by Dynamo captain Giles Barnes that just sailed over the crossbar.
In a first half that saw only six shots combined from both sides, the second half began with a flurry as the two combined for seven shots in the first 13 minutes of play. Barnes started things off by curling one towards the far post from 20 yards out in the 53rd minute only to have Seitz snagged it out of the air.
Three minutes later, Dallas had one of its five second half opportunities as midfielder Michael Barrios tested Dynamo keeper Joe Willis one on one.
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At the hour mark Chaco Maidana who active all night fed Manotas and the young forward ran on to it and let loose with a right footed shoot from nine yards out on a tight angle that banged off the crossbar keeping the teams scoreless.
Four minutes later, Wenger had a shot from the 18 yard box deflected for one of Houston’s seven corner kicks. Moments after that, Manotas sent a ball across the goal mouth that went untouched turning out to be one of the final opportunities Houston would have on the night.
“I thought we were the better team and we were going to come out and get a goal,” continued Barrett. Andrew (Wenger) caused a lot of problems and we had a lot of dangerous looks.”
During the 78th minute second half water break due to the heat, Barrett spoke to the team about not letting down.
“We talked about the fact that even though we were on top of the game we have to be careful about a counter, you have to be attentive to every single play on the other end of the field to make sure you don’t give anything away.”
Twelve minutes later, Houston gave it away. Castillo picked up the ball at the top of the box and broke left beating the Houston defender to the edge before slotting the ball past Willis at a tough angle for the game winner.
“This is one of the most dynamic attacks in the league and they came out with pretty much their full squad and I thought we really limited what they did. We just had that one lapse,” concluded Barrett.
This loss is especially tough considering how well the team played until that first minute of stoppage time. The Dynamo out shot Dallas 11 to 8 but could not keep them from putting one into the back of the net.
“They all hurt. This was a chance to move on. We put a of energy, a lot of time into the tournament so yeah it hurts to get to lose in this way but again the group will pull together and I tell you what, we will come out with some fire on Saturday,” emphasized Barrett one last time.
Houston takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps in an 8:30p.m. tilt at BBVA Compass Stadium.