Houston Dynamo twice came from behind but it wasn’t enough in a thrilling Texas derby as FC Dallas advanced in the US Open Cup following a 3-2 extra-time win.
Dallas’ Tesho Akindele scored eight minutes into extra time and the side held Dynamo off the board through the final 30 minutes after Omar Cummings had evened the score in the 62nd minute.
Houston was going to struggle as the match wore on, with only three substitutes, no goalkeeper among them, surely making life tough.
Houston started the match well but for all their impressive early possession they struggled to put chances away.
After the quarter-hour mark Dallas started to take charge and if not for Tally Hall, Fabian Castillo could well have put his side in front, but his effort was too tame.
In the 23rd minute disaster struck for Dynamo as they had to use a sub early as Will Bruin succumbed to an injury after a hit to his hip, forcing him from the field.
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Chris Seitz kept Dynamo out in the 24th minute as Kofi Sarkodie was able to get space and shoot, after a good ball from Omar Cummings, but Seitz got down well and low to keep it scoreless.
Castillo was looking dangerous and in the 34th minute it was his work that gave Dallas the lead as he broke through the Houston defense and slot past Hall to open the scoring.
In the 40th minute, Dallas should have doubled their lead as Andres Escobar made a run in on goal, and instead of passing to one of three open men, chose to shoot but was denied as Hall saved easily.
Dallas paid the price for failing to clear a Houston corner, as a scramble lead to a handball which allowed Giles Barnes to step up and slot past Seitz, who guessed correctly but was denied.
Late in stoppage there was controversy as a foul on the edge of the area gave a penalty to Dallas, after the referee consulted with his assistant, allowing Blas Perez to step up, but he launched his effort letting Houston off the hook and keeping it 1-1 at the break.
Dynamo started the second half well again as they attacked at Dallas but struggled to get those chances put away.
Just before the hour Escobar made his presence felt again as his shot from the edge of the area was hit with a swerving effort which left Hall with no chance.
Houston responded two minutes later as Cummings was played through, behind Zach Loyd before he shot from a tight angle to level the scores.
In the 72nd minute a free-kick gave Houston a good opportunity as a goal mouth scramble allowed AJ Cochran a chance to head at goal but his effort went over the bar.
A quick 79th minute counter gave Castillo another great opportunity but he was again denied by an impressive Hall save.
Dallas kept on knocking but time and time again Hall was immense to keep their rivals out and keep their US Open Cup hopes alive as the match headed to extra time.
Eight minutes in to the extra-time period Dallas got the crucial goal as Akindele made the turn and shot past Hall to restore Dallas’ lead.
Dynamo pushed in the second-half of extra time, forcing Seitz into several saves but the Dallas keeper did the job to give his side the win.
POST-GAME INTERVIEWS (HOUSTON)
POST-GAME INTERVIEW (TALLY HALL)
MATCH REPLAY: FC DALLAS AT HOUSTON DYNAMO