Ok I just landed in Houston from the LA/NY game and am interested in hearing your thoughts about the Dynamo 2-1 win over the Colorado. I have not seen the game yet but was excited to hear that the Dynamo got their first win of the 2008 season.
So apart from the result how did the Dynamo play?
Glenn
Same story, total control of ball time (which is not the same as control of the game), a lot more chances than the visiting team, but like many other games, only a couple of their chances were dangerous and the few chances from Colorado were very dangerous, take for example the first half, just before the Dynamo goal, Dynamo had easily 9 or 10 chances and only a couple were dangerous, Colorado had only 2, both dangerous.
Second half I thought that Dynamo was going to control the game, with the advantage Colorado had to change their strategy and that would give the Dynamo the space and liberties no team is giving them at Robertson, but it didn´t happen, Dom tried to change things by having his substitutions early, but it didn´t work that much.
When Colorado tied I was 100% sure the game was going to end in another draw, but I was forgetting the Dynamo heart, the fact they never give up, thank your favorite deity or deities folks for that PK.
It wasn´t their best game, but then again, no game this year has benn their best game, I will gladly take the 3 points, they count exactly the same as the 3 you get playing great soccer
Comment by Jarrambide — May 11, 2008 @ 12:46 pm
Houston defended very well and dominated in midfield but the same trend of poor play in the final third continued.
Carracio continues to try to take to many touches to get the perfect opportunity and leaves chances wanting. Ching struggles with his first touch on the ball and is just not getting the ball on target. Holden had an open goal waiting and heads straight into the ground. Fortunately for the Dynamo Ching got away with another poor touch as the ball was misplayed by the Colorado GK.
I still believe Cory Ashe needs to be on the field more. He is the only one with enough pace to stretch the defense and at least he consistently puts the ball into the box on time unlike Franco (2 touches where one will do)Carracio.
Derosario and Clark were excellent last night and Onstad was solid as usual (no fault on the goal). I shudder to think where the Dynamo would be without them. Boswell played well last night and continued a trend of improving play from the first of the year where I felt he was a liability. In the second half he had a great tackle on the left side of the 6 yd box followed by a shot block on the loose ball that was a certain goal. He strained his groin on the play. Excellent stuff and he is starting to win me over. Mullen and Mulrooney were average overall (No glaring errors or significant plays)
Overall it was an enjoyable game to watch last night and the Dynamo were deserved winners. Mr. Weyland did a solid job in the center. He may not have got everything right but there was no question that he was in charge. This game could have easily gone the way of the last game with Chivas with a weak official.
Ianni came off the bench and solidified things after Robinson got beat for the goal (he looked pretty tired). Cameron came in at right mid and really struggled with his touch and passing. he seemed to settle a little but in the end did not offer much to the game.
Comment by Brian — May 11, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
pat Onstad took a pretty hard shot right at the end of the game last night and remained on the ground after the final whistle receiving treatment. Any word on his condition?
Comment by Brian — May 11, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win. Hopefully, the team can build on the momentum. It’d be great to have Brad Davis back too.
Comment by Marco — May 11, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
Glenn, thoughts on the game vs. Colorado:
1) Colorado conceded possession for long stretches but for the most part held the backline against the Dynamo 4-4-2. More space out there than vs. Chivas but probably fewer quality chances. Dynamo only had 3 shots on goal all night. Set pieces, save for one Robinson header off of a cross, were useless. Ching really should have put away the first chance - Condoul kind of went down early and Ching just had to get it over him to score with no pace needed on the shot. 3 points is 3 points however we got it.
2) The problem right now is that no one on the Dynamo is beating guys off of the dribble to create space and odd-man chances (4 v 3, 2 v 1). Mullen is having a tough time getting to the corners to cross. It just seems like teams have refined their strategy vs. the Dynamo 4-4-2. Far too many long balls going Route 1 with little hope of connecting. Without a speed element, they stack it across the field and beat on Ching or Caraccio each time they hold up the ball with their back to the goal.
3) Holden played decent but I think this stretch is highlighting how much Brad Davis means to the team from a crossing and offensive creativity standpoint. When he plays, the forwards have more options to receive service from different spots on the field. I don’t think it is a coincidence that when he has played this season we have had more quality chances.
4) Bobby Boswell had a nice game and has really progressed each week. Many of us kind of heaped on him early but he seems more assertive and in better position.
5) Handball penalty call was amazing only because Weyland thought about it for so long before he pointed to the spot. Chalk part of that one up to Robertson Stadium homefield advantage to influence the call.
6) Because the West appears weaker this year, I think the Dynamo will challenge for the conference because no one is likely to pull away. The real question to me is: is this roster as currently constructed good enough to win the MLS Cup? I say that in total it is talented enough this season but not at the right positions - we need that speed forward element to finish.
Comment by JJ — May 11, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
The ref was a wierd one…he looked undecided at times more noticingly one call in the first half when Malrooney got a yellow card when he decided to play advantage when he put the whistle in his mouth and took a breath to blow it then stoped and waved play on then gave richard a yellow where no foul was. the second one was the hand ball… he waved play on said it hit his shoulder the called the PK, I was kinda lost but will take it cause it gave us the win!
Comment by Coop — May 12, 2008 @ 6:29 am
The Rapids played well for a road team in a tough place to play. Two bad mistakes handed the game to Houston. Without Bouna coming out of the box he has a chance to fend off Ching for a second time. Without the penalty DeRo doesn’t score and is marked out of the game by Pablo and LaBrocca. The Rapids showed they need more of a scoring threat to pair with speedy Cummings.
Comment by Bonji — May 12, 2008 @ 8:30 am
I have been quick to jump on Boswell and Ching this season and now I will give credit where it is due. I thought they both played very well. That said, if we had 4 or 5 more that played with the tenacity of Mullan we would be top of the table. I thought Barrett was putting it on the feet of the midfielders and forwards very nicely all match long. I still am not sure what to think of Caraccio. His flashes of brilliance are few and far between. How long until everything clicks for him?
Comment by O — May 12, 2008 @ 8:33 am
Rico could have gotten a straight red card for the tackle that earned him a yellow. I love his intensity but we need him every week and we missed him in the early games of the season.
Comment by Jack — May 12, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
Ching got lucky in his goal…
Dynamo got luck with the PK being called, usually gets missed by the greatest inconsistant refs of MLS.
A win is a win so i couldnt be happier.
Comment by eric — May 13, 2008 @ 7:25 am