First takeaways from a 2-1 Houston Dynamo loss at Seattle Sounders FC

The Houston Dynamo was about thirty minutes from a first-ever win in Seattle after a corner kick provided the go-ahead goal in the 26th minute, constructed by Adalberto Carrasquilla and stamped by Daniel Steres.

It wasn't to be.

Nouhou Tolo obtained his first-ever MLS goal to tie the match in the 59th minute. The Cameroonian provided the assist on Seattle's second goal, a header by Fredy Montero in the 76th, and the Dynamo fell 2-1 on Sunday night.

More concerningly, for the third time in the past four away matches, the team collapsed in the second half. Here's what stood out:

Dynamo offset early mistakes with go-ahead goal

The Houston Dynamo survived an aggressive Seattle attack in the opening moments. Nicolas Lodeiro had an opportunity to gain the lead for the home side in the third minute and a bad giveaway by Daniel Steres provided another scare just two minutes later.

Whether by luck or poor effectiveness from the Sounders, the Dynamo were able to regroup and turn the momentum the other way. A set piece in the 26th minute provided the opening for the go-ahead goal on the road.

Stefan Frei punched away a corner kick by Memo Rodriguez but Carrasquilla was there to push it towards goal at the top of the box. Steres got a touch to redirect the ball, for good measure, and the Dynamo were up 1-0.

Rodriguez left the match due to injury in the 39th minute, but the team held on to its lead through halftime. The Dynamo passed the test in the opening minutes and set themselves up to take the three points if they could respond just as admirably in the second half.

Brooklyn Raines makes MLS debut at 17

Offseason acquisition Brooklyn Raines made the trip to Seattle with the club, joining the first team on a short-term call up from Houston Dynamo 2. The 17-year-old midfielder came off the bench to make his MLS debut by subbing on in the 39th minute for Memo Rodriguez.

The youngster fared well for his first moments in the top division and provided a solution in the absence of injured Hector Herrera and the suspended Darwin Ceren. Naturally, his lack of experience cost him the better end of a few plays but nothing that he can be blamed for.

He was subbed off in the 73rd minute, 14 minutes after the tying goal by Seattle, for Ethan Bartlow. Raines is an exciting prospect for the future and a positive sight for the club is to see a young player like him be polished by the remaining MLS matches on the schedule.

Dynamo fall apart in the second half

The Dynamo had points in hand in recent away trips to Vancouver and Minnesota. Second-half mistakes undid those results and led to the team returning empty-handed. That was the case again in Seattle.

An injury to Tim Parker led to the defender subbed off. On came Teenage Hadebe, himself returning from injury, but his mistakes led to the game-tying goal.

Steve Clark did come up with a massive save to avoid giving up a goal from the penalty spot in the 75th minute. In the end, the defense could not carry the load for a lackluster offense that could not get more than one goal on the night.

A poorly cleared ball led to the Nouhou goal. Montero got the better of Hadebe by slipping behind him to connect on a Nouhou cross for the 2-1 lead, and eventual winner, in the 76th minute.