- Griffin Dorsey (1')
- Fafà Picault (24', 64')
Dynamo rout Austin FC behind Fafa Picault's brace
Fafa Picault scored two goals and the Houston Dynamo halted a 16-game winless drought with a spirited 3-0 victory over visiting Austin FC on Saturday night.
Griffin Dorsey added his first career MLS goal for the Dynamo, who were 0-8-8 during the tailspin that followed a victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 22.
- ESPN+ guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more (U.S.)
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access
Michael Nelson made two saves while recording his first career MLS shutout for Houston (4-10-10, 22 points). Nelson has started the past three matches while starter Marko Maric nurses a leg injury.
Brad Stuver made four saves for Austin FC (5-14-4, 19 points), who have dropped six of their past seven matches.
Houston had a 16-15 edge in shots and placed seven on target to Austin's two.
Dorsey set the tone for Houston with a rebound goal in the opening minute.
Darwin Quintero put a right-footed shot on goal that prompted Stuver to make a diving save. The ball bounced in Dorsey's direction and he tallied on a right-footed shot.
Picault scored his first goal in the 24th minute after Austin's Julio Cascante was unable to intercept a long pass. The ball bounced off Cascante's foot right to Picault and he sent a right-footer inside the right post to make it 2-0.
Picault achieved the brace in transition in the 64th minute immediately after Austin had a strong chance to get on the board.
Cecilio Dominguez took a close-range right footed shot that Nelson got a hand on and the ball caromed to his left and hit the goalpost.
The Dynamo got possession and sped the other way with a lot of room to operate. Picault ended up receiving the ball and sent a right-footer into the right corner for his team-best eighth goal of the campaign.
Austin didn't place a shot on target until the 53rd minute when Nelson thwarted the right-footed attempt by Austin Ring by using his hand to knock the ball over the net.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ismail Elfath
MLS Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Real Salt Lake | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | +8 | 18 |
LA Galaxy | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | +4 | 18 |
Vancouver Whitecaps | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | +8 | 17 |
Minnesota United FC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | +5 | 17 |
LAFC | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | +2 | 15 |
Colorado Rapids | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | +1 | 15 |
Austin FC | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | +1 | 15 |
Houston Dynamo FC | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | -1 | 13 |
St. Louis CITY SC | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 | +1 | 12 |
Sporting Kansas City | 10 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
Portland Timbers | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | -1 | 10 |
Seattle Sounders FC | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 9 |
FC Dallas | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 8 |
San Jose Earthquakes | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | -11 | 4 |