The Houston Dynamo fought and fought hard to get the goal needed to defeat Mexico’s Club Santos Laguna 1-0 at the BBVA Compass Stadium to take an advantage in the home leg of the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. Brad Davis put the ball past goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez in the 88th minute to bring the Houston faithful to a cheer.
The action took place in the midfield as the Mexicans tried to control the game while the Texans attempted to get on the board if they wanted a real chance of advancing. The laguneros held the Orangemen for 88 minutes, but their luck ran out when Davis, a second half substitute, broke the net to give the MLS squad the lead they were looking for.
It was a tight battle with American Herculez Gomez and Oribe Peralta taking shots on Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall’s net. Despite their efforts, the duo was not able to break through. The Dynamo piled up players in the defense when the Mexicans attacked.
On the other side of the field it was the same thing. Whenever the Americans made a run, the Santos players were quick to get back and build a wall around Sanchez to keep the ball out. Santos was close to taking the draw when the goal landed.
Corey Ashe ran the ball from the wing and centered to Davis who took the pass and sent it low to Sanchez’s left. Despite the former Mexican national team goalkeeper’s efforts, the ball rolled into his net to give the MLS squad a 1-0 lead.
The Dynamo ended Santos’ five game winning streak in the 2012-13 champions league. This is also the first time that the Dynamo defeats a Mexican squad in six tries.
The return leg is scheduled for Mar. 13, 2013 at the TSM Corona stadium in Torreon, Mexico.
The action continues tomorrow when Xelaju of Guatemala hosts CF Monterrey and MLS side Seattle Sounders FC travels to Monterrey to face Tigres UANL. The first quarterfinal round concludes on Thursday when the L.A. Galaxy takes on Herediano in Costa Rica.
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