ST. LOUIS, Missouri — Dante Polvara delivered the decisive late moment at Energizer Park, scoring in the 85th minute to secure a 2-1 Major League Soccer victory for St. Louis CITY SC over Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday night.

St. Louis had led from the 23rd minute through Simon Becher, but Houston forced its way level when Ibrahim Aliyu struck in the 75th minute. Just as the visitors appeared to have seized momentum, Polvara restored the home side’s advantage with five minutes of regulation remaining.

Becher gives St. Louis an early edge

The hosts made their first-half pressure count when Simon Becher scored in the 23rd minute. St. Louis took that 1-0 lead into the interval after a combative opening period, with Alexandru Matan booked for the home side in the 27th minute.

Houston controlled slightly more of the ball across the match, finishing with 52.5 percent possession, and generated a greater volume of attempts, outshooting St. Louis 18-10. But St. Louis were efficient with their opportunities, placing five shots on target to Houston’s four.

Aliyu levels, Polvara answers

Houston’s second-half push finally paid off in the 75th minute as Ibrahim Aliyu scored to make it 1-1. The Dynamo had earned six corners to St. Louis’ one and looked capable of turning their territorial pressure into a late winner.

Instead, it was St. Louis who found the final breakthrough. Dante Polvara scored in the 85th minute, delivering the goal that separated the sides in a tense finish. St. Louis managed the remaining stages, including nine minutes of added time, to see out a valuable home result.

The fixture carried plenty of edge, with St. Louis committing 18 fouls and Houston 10. Houston’s Mateusz Bogusz and Agustín Bouzat were both cautioned in the 58th minute, while Becher, Carlo Holse and Tomas Totland also entered the referee’s book for the hosts.

What’s next

St. Louis CITY SC, now 9-6-6, return to action on Sunday, August 30 against FC Dallas. Houston Dynamo FC, whose record stands at 12-2-7, will look to respond away to San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, August 29.