Ibrahim Aliyu, Steve Clark lead Houston past Charlotte 1-0, extending Dynamo’s unbeaten run to six

HOUSTON (AP) — Ibrahim Aliyu scored an early goal for Houston and goalkeeper Steve Clark managed to score in a 1-0 win over Charlotte FC on Saturday night, extending the Dynamo’s unbeaten streak to six.

Houston (8-6-6) scored the game’s lone goal in the fifth minute when Aliyu took a pass from Sebastián Ferreira and scored for the fifth time this season. Ferreira, who was coming off the franchise’s first hat trick on the road in a 4-1 win over D.C. United, picked up his second assist.

Clark finished with four saves to earn his fourth clean sheet this season for Houston.

Kristijan Kahlina stopped three shots for Charlotte (9-7-5).

Charlotte, which started the season 0-4-1 on the road, entered the game having won three of its last four away games.

Charlotte captain Ashley Westwood missed the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Charlotte and Houston have met twice before, with both games played in Houston. Charlotte earned its first road win of its inaugural 2022 season with a 2-1 victory. Charlotte won in Houston to advance to the League Cup quarterfinals last season.

Ferreira’s hat-trick in the win over DC United was the club’s first since Erick Torres accomplished the feat at home in 2017.

Charlotte returns home to host Inter Miami on Wednesday. Houston travels to face Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.

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The Associated Press