Union down Dynamo, 2-1

In a game where they hardly outplayed their opponent, and were probably lucky to only concede once, the Union emerged victorious. That’s just what first-place teams do. Goals from Kacper Przybyłko and Jack Elliott lifted the home side over the Houston Dynamo, and some back-line heroics held the visitors to just one goal.

Przybyłko notched his 11th goal of the year 18th minute, with some help from Joe Willis. After a nice combination with Haris Medunjanin, Przybyłko struck one right at the Dynamo ‘keeper, who got a piece of it before it trickled through his legs and over the line. The big striker’s celebration alluded to Alejandro Bedoya’s call-to-action from last weekend:

Christian Ramirez evened up the score just before halftime. The new arrival from LAFC ghosted past Haris Medunjanin and settled a cross atop the box without any trouble. Aurélien Collin stepped to the striker just as he let loose, but it did not stop Ramirez from beating Blake to the near post on the volley.

Houston looked poised to take the lead early in the second half, with Ramirez looking especially threatening. Some crucial clearances from Elliott and Kai Wagner ensured the game remained locked at one. Minutes later, Jim Curtin took off Warren Creavalle for Jamiro Monteiro.

The Union had a goal called back in the 59th minute, when Jack Elliott knocked in Przybłko’s free-kick redirect, but from an offside position.

Elliott converted another free kick in the 78th, and this time the goal stood. Collin redirected Jamiro Monteiro lofted ball into the path of Elliott, whose first attempt ricocheted off his own face and the crossbar before the lanky center back nodded home his own rebound.