Fox Man's Grade Book: Beasley's Kingdom extends to Guatemala, Dynamo earn road win in Leg 1

Andres Naranjo
Feb 20, 2019
2 min read

What looked like a turbulent evening for Major League Soccer representation in Concacaf Champions League play, Houston Dynamo held together and managed a big win in Leg 1 of the Round of 16 over a highly-defensive CD Guastatoya on Tuesday night in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Key Notes:

• Houston earned its second-ever international road win last night, the first being against Club Deportivo Futbolistas Asociados Sanatecos from El Salvador back in August of 2012.

• This is also the Dynamo's 20th win in all international competitions, the 13th in a Concacaf-sanctioned competition.

• DaMarcus Beasley scored his fourth career goal with the Houston Dynamo, his first in CCL competition.

CD Guastatoya did a pretty good job playing things safe in the back and breaking down Houston's main channels for a good portion of the match. Even though the hosts started with a five-man back line, they also did well going up with set-pieces and nearly scoring in a couple of occasions.

Houston would have the edge throughout the first half but was unable to capitalize then. Despite the hosts pumping the pressure to great lengths later on, the difference will not come in until late in the second half: Beasley would be at the right place at the right time to receive the corner kick clearance and hit a no-touch, crisp curler into the back of the net.

Certainly a goal above Concacaf standards.

And the Dynamo would keep the scoreline and have the advantage when they return to BBVA Compass Stadium for Leg 2 next Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the Quarterfinals against the winner of Tigres UANL and Saprissa.

Fox MVP of the Night:

• DaMarcus Beasley: an ageless landmark of American soccer once again proved why you cannot leave him unmarked. He is not going to stop the hustle and he will be involved in those goal-scoring plays that we have seen time and time again with the Dynamo. Beasley only gets faster every year.

Honorable Mentions:

• Maynor Figueroa: aside from being another veteran in the lineup, he is there for the big matches. You can easily notice how his firm composure can double down on oncoming threats to Houston's defense. I hope he brings more of this going forward to Honduras Dynamo.

• Romell Quioto: him as well as Manotas and Elis had a pretty quiet evening in Guatemala City up front. But Quioto kept running around the field and creating those dangerous plays off the flank like he always does, which has been worthy for my consideration.