Dynamo player Memo Rodriguez

Memo’s rocket blast, and other observations from Houston’s win over Montreal

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The Houston Dynamo nabbed their first win of the season Saturday defeating the Impact 2-1 — but it didn’t come easy.

Here are three observations from the game:

Memo’s rocket blast

I’m no betting man, but I’d put money on Memo Rodriguez’s equalizing goal being named MLS Goal of the Week.

The Dynamo Academy Product placed a left-footed strike to the upper corner where Montreal ‘keeper Evan Bush could only look on as the ball hit the back of the net.

Post-game, Rodriguez, said his teammates have been encouraging him to take long-distance shots. Good thing for the Dynamo, Memo listened.

Mauro Manotas reaches a milestone

The Colombian striker’s go-ahead goal in the 86th minute gave Houston the lead but more importantly the three points. The goal, a tap-in via a Romell Quioto cross, is his second goal of the season, and fourth in five games across all competitions this year.

More importantly, it’s his 50th goal for La Naranja across all competitions. After the game, Manotas said he was happy to reach this milestone.

“When I came, I said I wanted to score many goals and wanted to represent the club and I knew I had to work hard to get there. Scoring 50 goals in practically three seasons is a good achievement and I am grateful for the possibility to play here,” Manotas said.

“When I came, I practically didn’t play, and when I had the opportunity to play I took advantage and played 100 percent – I just left it all on the field.”

And Manotas is efficient in doing so. The goal was his only shot on target for the game. Sometimes that’s all you need.

“All I needed is one shot right there [6-yard-box] to put the game away,” Manotas said. “The whole game was tight with not many options at goal, so when one came, I had to put it in the back of the net.”

First home win of season

If the Dynamo want to return to the playoffs this season, they’re going to need all the home points they can rack up.

In 2018, the Orange only managed 28 points at home, and worse, only 10 points on the road. That’s a drastically different scenario than in 2017, when Houston racked up 40 points at home en route to a playoff appearance and run to the MLS Western Conference Finals.

The formula for Houston to return to the playoffs is simple, win as many points at BBVA Compass Stadium, and scrap for points on the road. In this early going, Houston has yet to drop points at home. It’s a small sample size, two games, but it’s a start in the right direction.