News
MIÉ 25.05.2016
Real Sociedad brought the curtain down on their LaLiga World tour in an enthralling contest at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium, as over 13,000 supporters were treated to a six-goal stalemate and some penalty shoot-out drama.
LaLiga's country manager in the United States, Raul Gonzalez - who was once again one of the main attractions for the Texan faithful - was in the stands to witness La Real produce a stunning comeback. At the final whistle, the former Real Madrid man was on hand to present the Houston Dynamo's young Colombian midfielder, Mauro Manotas, with the Man of the Match award.
Out on the pitch, there was certainly no shortage of goals or excitement. The Dynamos caught the Basques off guard, as the hosts raced into a two-goal half-time lead. After the restart, the Texans made it 3-0 courtesy of a fine finish from Manotas. However, Eusebio Sacristan's charges didn't crumble and goals from Xabi Prieto, Jon Bautista and Ruben Pardo in the space of 18 second-half minutes brought the San Sebastian outfit back on level terms and forced a penalty shoot-out.
In the lottery from 12 yards, only Xabi Prieto, who tried to outwit the Dynamo's goalkeeper with a Panenka penalty, failed to convert his spot-kick, leaving Will Bruin to step up and clinch the BBVA Charities Cup for the MLS outfit.
Real Sociedad forward, Carlos Vela, was once again one of the stars of the show, with numerous Mexicans flocking to the BBVA Compass Stadium to see their fellow countryman in action. The La Real hitman declared: "I've always said that coming to the United States is like being back home because there are so many Mexicans living over here. It's exciting to be able to give them a bit of joy." At the end of the encounter, the Basques' captain, Xabi Prieto, offered his assessment of his side's final outing of the season: "We come away from the game feeling positive because we turned things around just when that was looking impossible, but it's a shame not to have gone on and won it."
© LALIGA - 2016