Columbus Crew take 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo in Concacaf Champions Cup

HOUSTON — Columbus Crew SC took a 1-0 victory against the Houston Dynamo FC in their first leg match in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Columbus Crew SC came closest to scoring in the first half with two opportunities hitting the post on separate occasions. Marino Hinestroza missed an open net in the 38′ after evading Steve Clark outside the box.

Christian Ramírez looked to have scored the opening goal in the 74′ but video review overturned the call on the field two minutes later. Cucho Hernandez nearly provided a game-winning assist in the closing minutes but Alexandru Matan’s header went wide of goal.

Matan found the back of the net six minutes into stoppage time to deliver a 1-0 lead on aggregate for the defending MLS Cup champions.

An attendance of 4,379 was announced in-stadium. The MLS clubs will play the second leg of their series next Tuesday at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.