It was mission accomplished for the Dynamo Wednesday night at Robertson Stadium.
The DYNAMO produced the result they needed ending a long ardous season that saw them play over 50 games if you want to include the Pan Pacific Cup.
The 1-0 win against EL SALVADOR’S FIRPO again reminded us that BRIAN CHING is a scorer of important goals for this team. His 13th minute header proved to be the winner. Yet when you look back……this was not a comfortable win.
The DYNAMO struggled with their control and passing game. Throughout the night unforced errors were evident yet at certain times the Dynamo would find their game and gets some rhythmic passing going.
I am not big on stats but a few were telling ….37 fouls, 8 yellow cards and two ejections. One to EDDIE ROBINSON for kicking a FIRPO player.
It was a debacle watching all the simulation, antics and diving from FIRPO .
The DYNAMO got drawn into an emotional game typical of CONCACAF and this one was not comfortable right up to the final whistle. Remember if FIRPO had tied it up they would have advanced with a draw…..this was a nervous win and the DYNAMO found it difficult to find the final pass in the attacking third, gain control of the game through possession and were caught at times in a reckless transition type game.
The GOOD:
HIGH NOTE:
The DYNAMO finish a long year and a great body of work for the season against difficult challenges stretching the squad to the limit. Most will only remember the loss to New York in the playoffs.
IT DIDN’T COME EASY
The FIRPO win came with a large degree of difficulty based on a number of factors.
The Dynamo ended the season on a high note and will now have more international competition to present to their fans. The DYNAMO did not have Wade Barrett, Stuart Holden, Jeff Cameron, or Brad Davis for this win.
GREAT ATTENDANCE
Over 14,000 fans on a Wednesday night before THANKSGIVING provided a spectacular enviroment . It was a prideful night for SALVADOREANS as many had national team jerseys on and brought their countries flag. Fans of football in El Salvador have been great fans of the Dynamo! The Rockets also played on this night down the road at Toyota Center and I would bet my house the atmosphere wasn’t close to the one at Robertson…..LETS JUST HOPE CITY and COUNTY OFFICIALS TOOK NOTICE OF THIS PAST WEDNESDAY , SADLY YOU WON’T HERE MUCH FROM SPORTS TALK RADIO ABOUT THIS ENVIRONMENT.
*More international soccer will come our way as the Dynamo will get either Mexican clubs Atlante , Cruz Azul or Marathon of Honduras. February 24th -26th is the next date.
* Thanks to all the fans who called in to the post game show on 790 with lots of great calls and great points.
* Standing ovation from fans for Nate Jacqua who is off to SEATTLE, KEI KAMARA urging the fans on and a second start for MIKE CHABALA against FIRPO. Nice to see players rewarded but I am not ready to annoit anyone a starter after two games.
*Pat ONSTAD proving stable in goal again.
THE BAD:
* COMPOSURE: Dynamo were influenced by the tactics of diving etc. by FIRPO. Dwayne DeRosario could easily have been sent off by any referee for his two handed shove….
*EDDIE ROBINSON getting sent off for kicking a player. I am a big fan of the center back but these habitual red cards have carved him out a reputation in MLS.
This is a serious issue and is a selfish act. Not only is he out for the next game in Concacaf but he put his team down a man late in this one.
As we all know ejections are stimulus to change games.
This is an issue and lets hope that EROB gets it right in the off season and he gets back to consistency. A year of injury and suspension made the “big man” seem to try too hard .and it became a vicious cycle. Something tells me he will come back strong after cleaning the slate.
* The final pass or idea was missing on too many occasions specifically through Cory Ashe who was effective getting in good positions but couldn’t finish plays. Another goal and Firpo may just have begun to stop fighting…….
Give me your thoughts on the win over FIRPO……Wishing all soccer fans a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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The atmosphere was indeed electric. The Dynamo need to get their emotions in check. This is a big difference between MLS and other leagues. They WILL play dirty to get under your skin. Hell, it waas ugly in the stands.
Erob needs to grow up. I, for one, am tired of seeing him get sent off. It just hurts the team. What good is having talent if you aren’t on the field to play?
Let’s hope we advance in this tournament. MLS needs the respect.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Hats off to the Dynamo.
I understand there will always be some dirty playing and missed calls. Last night was not a a symbol of the game we all love. The amount of obvious diving that went on through out the game was not only bad from the player but is equally as bad when a ref is blind to it.
Just got back from Houston. I was surprised that many people showed up. I loved it. Sure was frustrating to see LAF play like they did. Gives soccer a bad name.
I love the guy but Eddie Robinson is a disgrace. His ongoing commitment to utter stupidity shows a degree of selfishness that damages his club over and Over and OVER. His straight red last night was one thing, but to berate any official the way he did was disgraceful to himself, his manager, his club, the fans, and to this city. He should be fined severely and banned for multiple matches. Can you imagine the punishment for that behavior in the EPL? For God’s sake, SOMEBODY teach this imbecile the definition of insanity.
Last night was the last straw for me personally. He’s a talented player but frankly I don’t care if he ever plays another game in a Dynamo shirt. His conduct is disgraceful and his ongoing lack of self control probably dashed any hopes he ever had at another NT call up.