LAFC shut out by Houston Dynamo

LOS ANGELES — Hugo Lloris’s acrobatics could only do so much to hold off the Houston Dynamo.

The French goalkeeper came up with multiple diving saves in the first half, but had little chance to stop each of Houston’s attempts which resulted in goals, both coming inside the 6-yard box.

Ezequiel Ponce and Lawrence Ennali scored for the Dynamo in their 2-0 win over LAFC (14-6-5) in its first MLS league game since July 20 and third game in six days.

Four minutes after Lloris flew to his left to keep Ibrahim Aliyu’s shot out of the net, Hector Herrera’s set-piece cross bounced around the box and found Ponce’s feet for the opening goal in the 28th minute.

Ennali’s goal, in the 71st minute, was the product of a defensive breakdown that left Lloris vulnerable. Ennali snuck behind LAFC defender Sergi Palencia, received a pass from Franco Escobar, and dribbled past Lloris, who had come off his line, to tap the ball in the net.

The score essentially put the game out of reach as LAFC had created few quality chances to that point . French forward Olivier Giroud made his MLS league play debut when he subbed in for the Christian Oliviera in the 67th minute. Even his presence wasn’t enough to spark a listless offense.

LAFC, however, was on the front foot for the first 20 minutes, but after a couple empty attacks, the Dynamo dominated possession, accruing 60 percent. LAFC’s first attempt came after Oliviera and Lewis O’Brien strung together a pair of passes in the box. Oliviera lost possession and the ball fell to O’Brien, who skied the shot.

Two minutes later, forward Denis Bouanga stole a Dynamo pass in the midfield and pushed it up to Mateusz Bogusz. Bogusz took a touch, cut into the box, but had his shot blocked.

After that, Houston began to take control.

In the 20th minute, Ezequiel Ponce took the ball from defender Maxime Chanot in LAFC’s half and fired the first shot on target, right at Lloris’s hands.

Lloris wasn’t as fortunate 8 minutes later.

LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead fouled Griffin Dorsey just outside the box, giving Houston’s Hector Herrera his first chance to make an impact. Herrera’s cross bounced around the box and found Ponce’s feet directly in front of goal.

The Dynamo almost increased their lead to two before halftime, but Lloris’s fingertips kept a free header from Ponce out of the net.

LAFC’s first shot on target came 9 minutes into the second half when Hollingshead unleashed a shot from outside the box. Dynamo goalkeeper Steve Clark easily parried the attempt. Ten minutes later, Buoanga escaped behind the defense but failed to capitalize on a 1-on-1 with Clark.

After Ennali’s goal, LAFC mustered just two more real chances on goal but were unable to score.

LAFC still controls its own destiny in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference as it sits five points off rival LA Galaxy with the advantage of having played two fewer games. The loss, however, puts the Supporters Shield further out of reach as Inter Miami beat the Chicago Fire 4-1 on Saturday and sit 12 points up on LAFC.