In their only matchup in the 2016 season, the Columbus Crew SC defeated the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in front of 17,705 at MAPFRE Stadium. Columbus Crew SC (2-3-2; 8 pts.) won on a 21st minute penalty from Kei Kamara, as the Houston Dynamo (1-4-2; 5 pts.) played more than 70 minutes a man down.
“I am really pound of the team because I think it was a real professional performance,” Columbus Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter said of the match. “We really didn’t give them anything. I was happy with it. I think the mindset and the performance of the guys to keep going and to stay balanced was something that will help us down the season.”
On his starting debut, Houston keeper Tyler Deric brought down Federico Higuain in the box on a broken play. Higuaín was in an offside position, but the ball was played back to him by the Dynamo defense. On his run down the right side of the penalty box, he was brought down by Deric and it was a quick decision to give a red card for the sliding challenge.
Kamara took the penalty, as he put his right-footed shot into the right corner of the net, as substituted goalkeeper Joe Willis guessed the wrong way. Crew led early and had the man advantage 1-0 in the 21st minute with Kamara’s third goal of the year.
Crew continued to push for their second, as they were whistled for offside seven times in the half (nine total), but were held to just a shot on target, the same as Houston in that first frame.
Houston confidently held their ground and really did not let the Crew create memorable chances throughout the second half. The Dynamo defended well with a man down, and their defensive game plan kept them in the match.
“We’re comfortable here,” Berhalter added. “We love playing in front of our fans and playing in Columbus. It’s great to get our second win in a row here. We realize that we just need to keep moving forward.”
Justin Meram hit the back of the net in the 60th minute from a Kamara cross, but that too was whistled offside. Crew ended with over 70% possession on the night, and their second home win of the young campaign.
