After earning three points in the 2-0 win against Toronto FC this past weekend, the Columbus Crew traveled to Texas to take on a red-hot Houston Dynamo. The Black & Gold, who sat one point off of second place heading into this match, looked to gain nine points in their first three games after the Leagues Cup break. However, it was the Dynamo who had other plans, winning again at home 2-0.

The first half was rather lackluster for Columbus, with only four shots and one on goal. The best chances came just before halftime with forward Jacen Russell-Rowe finding wing back Max Arfsten over his right shoulder just inside the 18-yard box. Arfsten was able to get a shot on goal, but former Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark came up huge with the save.

On the ensuing corner kick, forward Cucho Hernandez was able to get his head on the inswinging cross, but the attempt went just high over the crossbar.

The Dynamo were able to create dangerous chances throughout the first half. Securing eight shots with five on goal at the interval Houston had a goal to show for it.

Forward Corey Baird was able to get around the Black & Gold backline and go 1-on-1 with goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Baird got around Schulte and placed the chance comfortably into the back of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute of play.

Columbus had a glimmer of hope to start the second half, after two halftime changes, but a give-and-go between Hernandez and wing back Mohamed Farsi broke down for a goal kick.

Just a minute later, the Dynamo came close to doubling the lead, but midfielder Sean Zawadzki, who moved up the field from center back at the break, was able to clear the danger.

Farsi came close to getting on the end of a through ball in the 56th minute, but the pass was too heavy for the wing back, giving Clark the comfortability to come off of his line and claim the loose ball.

The Crew strung a good amount of possession between the 57th minute and 60th minute. That would end after Arfsten tried to find Hernandez running towards goal in the penalty area. The cross was easily claimed by Clark, with the Black & Gold knocking on the door for an equalizer.

Wing backs Julian Gressel and Yaw Yeboah entered the match in the 66th minute, as Columbus looked to inject life into the wide areas with two playes who have pace and crossing abilities.

That was quickly on display when Yeboah served a cross toward Hernandez in the 68th minute. The forward was able to get a spinning touch on the cross and put it on frame, forcing Clark to make a save. The ensuing corner kick saw nothing come of it, allowing the Dynamo to break quickly.

Houston came just inches away from doubling their lead in the 73rd when Herrera sent in a corner kick towards a wide open Brad Smith. His header missed the far post by mere inches, keeping the score 1-0 at the second half hydration break.

The Crew was again close to equalizing in the 79th minute, when Gressel had a power-driven low shot at the near post after a Black & Gold corner kick, but Clark was quick to keep the ball out.

The Dynamo put the final nail in the coffin in the 90th minutes when Herrera found Ibrahim Aliyu on the break. Aliyu, all alone went in on goal against Schulte after Columbus was pressed high, popped his chance around Schulte to double the Dynamo lead, giving the home side all three points.

Shutout for the first time since April

The Crew failed to score a goal in this match for the first time since being held scoreless away to Charlotte FC on April 22. Prior to Saturday night, MLS’s best offense had scored a goal in 16 straight league contests, but couldn’t find the back of the net against the Dynamo.

Eastern focus?

Head coach Wilfried Nancy made six changes to the staring lineup from the 2-0 win against Toronto on Saturday night. This was easily one of the biggest differences in the starting 11 from match to match of the year and likely had an eye on Saturday’s game at CF Montreal. Not only will that be a homecoming for Nancy, who was a coach in various capacities for the club for 11 seasons, but it is an Eastern Conference game, which the head coach may have prioritized over this gae against a team from the West.

What’s next

Columbus will be on the road again on Saturday, heading to Canada to take on Montreal. Kick off for that gae is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.