Defender Craig Waibel called it.
In the vein of famed athletes who predict wins, Waibel did it on 790 AM radio this past week before the Dynamo won the MLS Cup yesterday in dramatic fashion.
Bold and confident like the Dynamo yet laced with a touch of humility, Waibel re-iterated something that resonates about the Dynamo. Controlled ego’s are alive and well in the Houston Dynamo locker room.
“Our big time players are as down to earth as anyone,” says Waibel.
This is a true team in the sense of the word.
One that had the resiliencey to turn around a goal from Taylor Twellman of the NE Revolution in about 10 seconds in overtime at Pizza Hut Park yesterday which led to a penalty kick win.
The New England Revolution began celebrating too early from their bench to their players on the field.
In fact Khano Smith who played a part in the goal got caught out of position off the kick-off and the rest is history. Brian Mullan’s cross was deflected making the ensuing header from Brian Ching even more remarkable.
Powering his header into the corner past Matt Reis you got the sense the Dynamo would not be denied.
Early confident penalty kicks erased the NE mystique of winning on PK’s. To beat Matt Reis you had to hit your pk’s with power and that is what Dynamo players did .
A time of pride for the city of Houston and a time where the soccer base can just sit back and smile. Part 2 to come.
On my usual early morning sojourn for coffee I was greeting by soccer fans at my local establishment who were ecstatic about the Dynamo win in drama. When you get good soccer conversation in coffee shops you know you are penetrating the consciousness of our community.
Hats off to the Dynamo organization, players and coaches.