Darwin Quintero
Darwin Quintero, left, celebrates after scoring the game's second goal and the eventual game-winner. [Santi Dominguez | The Bayoucitian]

Darwin Quintero’s skills elevate Houston Dynamo to victory over Seattle

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HOUSTON – Darwin Quintero has only started seven matches for the Houston Dynamo this season, but in those games, the Colombian has displayed the skills that have enamored him to soccer fans across the continent.

On Saturday, against the No. 1 team in the Western Conference Seattle Sounders, Quintero carved up the Sounders defense for a goal and an assist to lead the Dynamo to a 2-1 victory.

Skills on display

It started with a free kick straight from the playground. In the 14th minute, Quintero lined up about 30 yards from goal and floated the ball to a streaking Maxi Urruti. The Argentinian, calmly and as cool as a pickle, one-timed a right-footed shot to the back of the net.

Quintero said the play was something he had mentioned to Urruti at the start of Friday’s training session. Quintero told Urruti about the set piece, telling him it’s a play he likes. He told Urruti the space he should run to and be ready for a one-time shot. Quintero was right.

But Quintero wasn’t done.

Five minutes later, Quintero put on a dribbling display. He received a pass from Griffin Dorsey at the top of the box. Quintero settled it with his chest, then volleyed it over Seattle’s João Paulo, nutmegged the ball past Xavier Arreaga, and dribbled past Shane O’Neill to take a left-footed shot.

“The play came out naturally,” Quintero said. “You have seconds to make these decisions. I wasn’t overthinking it. If you do these plays don’t out naturally.”

And Quintero wasn’t done. In the second half, the scientists of goals went for the spectacular and nearly pulled it off. In the 49th minute, the ball fell to him in the box. Without thinking about it, Quintero tried the overhead volley. Unfortunately, the ball pinged off the woodwork.

Quintero’s Man of the Match performance was his best in an orange kit.

“He was brilliant tonight, he led the way I mean both sides of the ball. Of course, we see the magic he does when he has the ball at his feet, but also how committed he is in the middle of the field,” Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos said.

“He knows his responsibility and he’s doing a great job and he’s a leader on the team right now. I’m really happy for him that he was able to turn this season around and he’s doing such a great job.”

Staying in Houston

Quintero was named after Charles Darwin, which is also where the scientist of goal nickname comes from due to the formulas that Quintero displays on the pitch with his goals, said he hopes to stay in Houston a couple more years. And it’s something he’s mentioned to friends on various occasions.

“My family is happy here. We like everything. My wife and I like the lifestyle here. We like the climate, and the kids are happy in school,” Quintero said.

“I’m working hard to close out the tournament in the best way possible. I want the team to exercise the option, so we’ll see what happens.”

The winning formula for Houston this season is simple —have Quintero on the pitch. Quintero has started three of the six games the Dynamo have won and has been a substitute in the other three.

With four games remaining, it’s a safe bet to assume Quintero will be in the starting lineup.

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Three thoughts from the Houston Dynamo's 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy - The Bayoucitian
October 21, 2021 9:09 am

[…] difference between the Dynamo team that played Wednesday night against the Galaxy and the one that beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 on Saturday. There was less crispness in the attack and less cohesiveness on the defensive […]

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