Dynamo play shorthanded, still blank Nashville SC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:57 am

Adalberto Carrasquilla and Darwin Quintero scored goals and the Houston defense rose to the occasion despite playing the final 55-plus minutes a man down as the Dynamo defeated visiting Nashville SC 2-0 on Saturday in a Western Conference match.

The Dynamo (4-4-3, 15 points) snapped a three-match MLS losing streak and won for the first time in three all-time contests against Nashville.

- MLS on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games, replays (U.S. only)

- Don't have ESPN? Get instant access

Steve Clark had two saves to earn his third clean sheet of the season and the 47th of his nine-year MLS career.

The Dynamo grabbed the lead on Carrasquilla's goal in the 16th minute, which came on a rebound of a blistered shot by Jose Guillermo "Memo" Rodriquez, which was saved by Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis.

Adalberto Carrasquilla scored for the Houston Dynamo.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Willis was forced to drive to his right to stop Rodriquez's shot, and the ball deflected to Carrasquilla, who kept his right-footed shot low and into its target in the lower left side of the net.

Houston's Adam Lundqvist was assessed a red card in the 35th minute when he slid into Nashville midfielder Alex Muyl, forcing the Dynamo to play the final 55 minutes a man down on a sweltering evening.

Quintero added to the Houston advantage in the 53rd minute on a penalty kick after Fabrice-Jean "Fafa" Picault was knocked down in the box on a breakaway by Willis. From the spot, Quintero went to the right after faking the Nashville keeper to the left.

Nashville nearly found the goal three minutes later when C.J. Sapong leaped to head a corner kick that bounced off the top of the crossbar and out of play.

Nashville (4-4-3, 15 points) has won just once in its past five matches and has recorded consecutive MLS victories just once since September 2021.