News
MIÉ 25.05.2016
13,675 inside the BBVA Compass Stadium
Football fans in Houston came out in their droves to see the Dynamos host La Real. The BBVA Compass Stadium was over half full, and those in attendance certainly got their money's worth, being treated to six goals and the drama of a penalty shoot-out. The supporters got behind all 22 players, which generated a tremendous atmosphere. Adding the attendance of this game (13,675) to the 15,697 fans who flocked to the Avaya Stadium to take in Real Sociedad v San Jose Earthquakes means that in total, 29,372 supporters saw the Basques in LaLiga World tour action.
Mikel Gonzalez & Jon Bautista, the only ever-presents on tour
The San Sebastian outfit's captain, Mikel Gonzalez, and youth-team graduate, Jon Bautista, are the only two members of the Basques' squad who played all 180 minutes on the LaLiga World tour, after Eusebio gave both players full run-outs in the games against the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo.
Ruben Pardo with his first of the season
The Basques' central midfielder opened his account for the season with a powerful drive from the edge of the area to draw his side level at 3-3. The Real Sociedad number 14 provided seven assists over the course of the Liga BBVA campaign, but failed to get his name on the scoresheet. He changed all of that at the BBVA Compass Stadium with a fine strike.
Three goals in 18 minutes
Real Sociedad turned the game on its head in an 18-minute spell, as Eusebio's men laid siege to the Dynamo's box and got themselves back on level terms. Xabi Prieto (55') fired home from a Bautista pass to get the ball rolling, before Bautista then got in on the act himself on 59' and Pardo completed the comeback with a 73rd-minute strike.
Geronimo Rulli gets amongst the goals
The Argentine goalkeeper also managed to get his name on the scoresheet at the BBVA Compass Stadium. Rulli stepped up to slot home the Basques' fourth penalty in the shoot-out with a confident strike which nestled in the top corner. The Argentine custodian entered the fray after the restart, with Ander Bardaji taking his place in Eusebio's starting XI. Rulli was between the sticks for the shoot-out, and whilst he didn't manage to keep any of the Dynamo's spot-kicks out, he was at the centre of one of the game's most memorable moments, as the two goalkeepers went head-to-head from 12 yards.
© LALIGA - 2016