A vocal capacity crowd in excess of 21,000 at PNC Stadium was on Hector Herrera watch on Saturday night.
Herrera made his Houston debut in the 55th minute, with the Dynamo down a goal. Replacing Memo Rodriguez, Herrera, the most significant signing in franchise history, was greeted to a rousing round of applause.
Herrera’s insertion quickly changed the energy of the Dynamo in the second half. In a dramatic finish, Houston’s Teenage Hadebe scored the equalizer in the 101st minute, giving the Dynamo a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas in the 50th edition of the Texas Derby.
“Our players responded well in the second half,” Dynamo coach Paulo Nagamura said. “We did a better job of Dallas pushing back in the second half.”
In Houston’s style of play, Nagamura utilized Herrera closer to the goal on Saturday than he usually plays with the Mexican national team.
“I don’t think that he is a solution for everything, but he’s going to raise the quality of our team,” Nagamura said. “We have to find ways that he can play his best soccer from him.”
FC Dallas’ Jesus Ferreira scored in the 93rd minute, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.
It was a chaotic and entertaining stoppage time.
Houston didn’t score until the 69th minute. An equalizer by Thor Ulfarsson that made it 1-1. Ulfarsson’s third goal of the season was a right-footed shot from close range to the right corner past Maarteen Paes following a corner.
There was a lot of emotion at the stadium. An 82nd-minute goal by the Dynamo’s Sam Junqua was waived off, leading to a little shoving among the players that quickly quieted down. The sold-out crowd was into the game, as were the players from both sides.
“Every player is motivated to play in front of a full stadium,” Dynamo forward Sebastian Ferreira said. “Hector deserves a full stadium.”
The first goal did not reward the team that was playing the best. Matt Hedges’ header off a corner in the 27th minute put Dallas ahead 1-0.
A danger on set pieces, Hedges hardly jumped while making contact on the ball as he towered over Zeca, his defender. Assisted by a cross from Alan Velasco, Hedges made good from the center of the box into the high center of the goal, out of reach of goalkeeper Steve Clark.
Rodriguez missed a clear chance for the Dynamo in the 21st minute. Two minutes later, his free kick from him went over the top of the goal.
In the 21st minute, Ferreira drew two defenders, giving Rodriguez an opportunity. Rodriguez’s header from the center of the box was saved in the bottom left corner by Paes.
Saturday was Herrera’s first competitive match since suiting up for Mexico on June 5 against Ecuador.
The captain of the Mexican national team reported to Houston Sports Park on July 1 for his first training session with his new club. Herrera joins Houston following three seasons with Atletico de Madrid.
Houston had an advantage in possession at 59.5 percent. The Dynamo also led in shots (19-13), shots on target (8-6), blocks (7-2) and corners (8-2). In addition, the Dynamo had more total passes (540-381).
A couple Houston players hit milestones in MLS appearances. Defender Daniel Steres made his 150th MLS appearance and Rodriguez his 125th.
Hadebe was back in the lineup for Houston. A key reserve, forward Tyler Pasher was unavailable because of health and safety protocols. Midfielder Darwin Ceren was suspended.
“Teenage Hadebe’s primary goal is to defend,” Nagamura said. “It shows her willingness to do what she has to be done. He got rewarded.”
Following a quick turnaround, Houston travels to play Austin FC on Tuesday. The Dynamo return to PNC on July 23, hosting Minnesota United.
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism