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Sandy • Joao Plata waited for the buildup that could've possibly turn the tides of a frustrating night inside Rio Tinto Stadium. But when a pass in that buildup went awry, the RSL forward let out a scream so loud that it could be heard throughout the quiet stadium.

Later on, when RSL had the Houston Dynamo backpedaling on their heels on a quick counter, head coach Jeff Cassar watched intently, and at the point that another simple pass went wayward. Cassar flung his arms up in disbelief.

It was that kind of night Saturday in Sandy, the kind of night RSL has dreaded all season. Another critical mistake at home put the home team behind in the first half, but finally, in the 15th home game of the year, RSL ran into a deficit it couldn't flip on its head. In the midst of a heated playoff chase, RSL (12-10-8, 44 points) lost its first regular-season game of the season to the Dynamo 1-0, which entered Rio Tinto as the worst team in Major League Soccer.

"Just was an off night," Cassar said. "It was a gross game."

If you were rooting for the home team, that's about as apt as a description as possible. RSL managed one shot on goal — in the 90th minute. For all the moments RSL's versatile attack has had in reversing deficits in 2016, Saturday featured nothing on script. Minus attacking midfielder Javier Morales, who missed the match with a lingering quadriceps strain, RSL was sloppy in possession when it mattered and never found a rhythm.

"We all knew how important this game was," RSL captain Kyle Beckerman said. "We let one slip, for sure."

Another flat performance put RSL under pressure to maintain its spotless home record. Houston midfielder Alex Lima put the visitors up 1-0 in the 36th minute, slicing a shot over RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Center back Jamison Olave played a dangerous pass to midfielder John Stertzer. Lima and fellow Dynamo midfielder Ricardo Clark converged on Stertzer as Clark stripped him of the ball.

"When you're receiving the ball in those areas of the field, you have to anticipate you're going to get pressured," Cassar said.

Lima carried the ball easily in on Rimando who had to watch Houston's first shot on goal hit the back of the net. It was the fifth time in RSL's last six matches in which it conceded the opening goal. Four minutes into the second half, Rimando couldn't save a shot by Houston forward Mauro Manotas. Luckily for Rimando and RSL, it struck the post and back into play.

Burrito Martinez had one of RSL's best looks of the night in the 68th minute. The RSL forward got on the end of a Plata free kick at the back post, but couldn't keep an open header down. Finally, a minute into stoppage time, Yura Movsisyan found himself in a similar position alone, unmarked at the back post. Movsisyan's volley sailed high and into the north side crowd.

"It was a strange night," defender Tony Beltran said. "I think we were off our rhythm just a little bit, but that's no excuse. We're professionals. Especially at home. We need to find a way."

Twitter: @chriskamrani —

Storylines

R RSL suffers first regular-season home loss of 2016 against Houston.

• RSL doesn't register a shot on goal until the 90th minute.

• For the second straight week, RSL is shut out.