Stick a fork in this team: They're done.

 

This loss was about mental lapses and execution.

This team doesn't know how to win.  In what has become a common theme with this group of players over the last two years, there were multiple opportunities to put this game away, and on both sides of the ball, the team failed to execute.  From one of the team's biggest stars to their role players failing to fulfill their role, this loss is an epitome of what is wrong with this team: the roster.  While some bad luck definitely aided to this loss, the poor execution and mental lapses that happened throughout the second half cost the Houston Dynamo 3 points and, in essence, ended their season.  The mental lapses happened in all phases of the game and reared their ugly head most at the worst possible time. 

This was (on paper) a matchup of two fairly evenly matched teams, both of whom are struggling to find wins.  Vancouver, down 7 men to start the game and playing without Lucas Cavellini in the starting 11, was the most dangerous team from the early goings. Julian Gressel was a constant threat on from the wing, getting the ball deep in the attacking third and firing in dangerous crosses. After the first goal, Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini changed up the defense, pressing the Dynamo back 4 when they were in possession.  While the Dynamo managed to dominate possession in the first half (63%), they did very little with it.  Managing only two shots on target, (both by Fafa Picault), the Dynamo were doing very little dangerously in the final third.  There were opportunities, Thor twice had the ball deep in the attacking third 1v1 with Tristan Blackmon, twice he was unable to do anything with it, and twice we came away with nothing. 

The Dynamo were in trouble despite the 1:0 scoreline.

The second half was a much different story.  Vancouver had us pinned back deep from the second-half kick.  Pressing our backline and man-marking our midfield, Vancouver was stifling any opportunities going forward.  The deep passes that were hitting in the first half weren't there in the second half, and for the first 5 minutes, the Dynamo managed only one touch on the opposition's half of the field. Vancouver dominated the run of play in the second half, creating most of the scoring opportunities (9 shots - 3) and big chances created (5-2).

At the 50th minute mark, the Dynamo got their first real chance.  It was an opportunity that should have been the game clincher, but instead, we got this:

These are plays that separate winning and losing.  These are the plays that separate playoff contenders from wooden spoons.  With a chance to go up 2-0 on the road, El Cientifico del Gol chooses a flying scissor kick a ball for no reason, whiffs at the chance, and cost his teammates a goal.  This isn't a rookie Thor we are talking about, it's a 34-year-old veteran in his 17th year as a professional.  These types of plays are inexcusable.  These types of plays HAVE to be made.  On top of that, this was Darwin's only shot opportunity of the entire game.  He has to capitalize.  

Thor also had a big chance (59:24) that just failed to go in.  While credit needs to go to Cody Copper for getting a touch on it, and credit to Thor for making a nice move in the box and putting a good shot on target, look at Fafa Picaut in the final frame.

This game should have been 2-0 at this point.  Fafa has to at least make a play on this ball. If you watch the body language by the guys on the field after this play, Fafa has his head down, Sebas turns around and is walking back, the only guy with any pep on screen is Thor.  The midfield (Hector Herrera especially) is jogging back.  And while the next possession turned into a cross that Tim Parker cleared, you could see frustration begin to take over this team.

This chance (note the time) turns into nothing:

The Downfall:

While I've seen criticism of Nagamura for his late-game substitutions in this game, I actually don't get it.  Up 1-0 in the 72nd minute, Paulo began to get all of his best defenders in squad into the game.  It was a conservative and smart tactic on the road.  

• 72nd minute: Griffen Dorsey and Coco -> Sebas and DQ
• 83rd minute: Ethan Bartlow and Zeca -> Thor and Zarek Valentine

Paulo parked the bus, sat deep, and packed it in in a 5-4-1 with his fastest and best defensive forward (Fafa) setting the high line. 

The lineup (Dorsey, Parker, Steres, Bartlow, Junqua on the back line, Zeca, Ceren, HH, Coco in the midfield) should have been able to lock down this game.  But they didn't.  While the first goal was a bit unfortunate, the second goal was a combination of mistakes and turned 3 points into 0. The first goal, given to Simon Becher an MLS veteran of 9 total minutes...(yes, you're reading that right), tapped one home in the 88th minute to make it 1-1. 

Here you go!!! @simon_becher101 nets the equalizer last night in his @MLS debut!!!@WhitecapsFC | #VWFC pic.twitter.com/hbcJUwrZpk

— Sarita Patel - 'Caps Club Reporter (@SaritaReports) August 6, 2022

While I say it was a bit unfortunate, it was also helped by a momentary lapse in concentration by Zeca, who lost his man (Ali Ahmed) and gave him a free run to the middle.  Tim Parkers deflection of Ahmed's pass wound up right at the foot of Becher, who managed to tap it home for the equalizer.  

Instead of grinding this game out for a draw, the Dynamo chased a second goal, opened themselves up, and gave up the winning goal less than 4 minutes later.   Lucas Cavellini's right-footed blast sealed the game.  Clark should have stopped it, didn't, and the Dynamo are no 3 points poorer because of a collective effort.

Despite the math, this team is done.

While playing the kids shouldn't be the goal at this point, moving on from guys that shouldn't be back should be.  There are a lot of players that are playing big roles that have yet to help us get over the line, and they need to stop seeing the field.   We need to figure out if guys like Bartlow can carry a week-in, week-out workload, so we can move on from more expensive options on the team (Steres, Parker).  We need to see if Beto Avila can help fill a role as part of the rotation next year.  It's time to give these guys extended looks.  And while I'm not a proponent of bringing the Dynamo Dos guys in, I'm not necessarily against it either.  Going to watch games at Aviva, and looking beyond the scoreline, I'm not sure how many of those guys help change results this year or next.  Other than Brooklyn Raines and possibly Xavier Valdez, I'm not sure any of those guys have a positive impact on the squad.  They're good, and much credit to them for what they've done this year, but I'm not throwing them in there just out of spite to guys that have been here.  They need to earn it.

Thanks again for reading, 

Remember to always #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian

Paulo, you have some answering to do.

 
So, I've tried to be patient with our first-year head coach this year.  There have been some signs that this team is improving.  There have been some times when we do things I really like.  But there have been some things recently with this team that just makes me ask: "WHAT ARE WE DOING?"  After last night's 2-1 loss to Minnesota United at home, Paulo Nagamura made a few more decisions that have left me.....well....flabbergasted.  Forget about tactics for a minute, forget about formations.  Let's just focus on the basic player selection and substitutions for a second a let forth a furnace blast of heat.  With the signings we've made this year, we shouldn't be in a place where we have 1 win in our last 6, and 4 wins since April 16th (4-10-2 over that span).  We shouldn't rank 20th in the league in Points Per Game at PNC.  We've picked up 4 out of 15 points at home in our last 5 games in the Bayou City.  There are some good things happening this year (like somewhat figuring out how to pick up wins on the road) but not even being competitive for a playoff spot needs to be accounted for.  

I've said from the very beginning we don't have what it takes to make the playoffs.  I've said all year long that we aren't going to make the playoffs.  But I thought we'd at least be competitive.  My belief is based off this team's ability, but questions are arising around basic desire.  Today, however, we'll solely point the blame squarely on Paulo's shoulders, and ask what in the world we are doing.

Why can't we put all 11 of our best players in the starting lineup?

Does anyone know what's going on with Sebas?  Is anyone asking: Why is the second biggest signing in the history of this franchise and this winter's poster child for change sitting on the bench?  I read Paulo's quote, it told me nothing.  If Paulo can't figure out how to get Darwin Quintero, Sebas, Hector Herrera, Coco, Teenage, Zeca, Adam Lundkvist, and Fafa all on the field together, how is he a professional coach?  All year long we've been one of those short in the starting lineup.  The first several games of the year, it was Teenage and DQ.  Then, it was Parker and Fafa, and now it's Sebas who can't find the starting 11 anymore.  WHAT ARE WE DOING?  He's the team's leading scorer, he's second on the team in assists, and he barely ever gets the ball.  He has fewer touches inside the box than Fafa (80-75) and is seventh on the team with touches inside the attacking 3rd.  Memo, Lundy, Zeca, and Coco all have more touches in the attacking third than him, and DQ has 257 more touches in the attacking third than Sebas, with the same amount of goals and 1 less assist.  We just got a guy that can break lines and get him the ball, and we decide we aren't going to start him anymore.  

The last two games Paulo has rolled out a starting lineup without Zeca and Sebas, and we are supposed to be trying to make a playoff push.  Since the beginning of the season, we have never posted a starting lineup that included this: Sebas, DQ, Fafa, Coco, Zeka, Parker, Hadebe, Lundy, Clark. Not one time. That doesn't include two spots, which you could go a couple of different routes with.  Add HH in to that mix and you have 10 of your starting 11.  We need a wing?  Put DQ at RW and let him duck inside while Zeca overlaps the right side, then attack the right every chance you get.  Put Thor at the other wing, or start Fafa and Thor and play DQ at the 10.  It's crazy to think that over 24 games, we can't get those 9 together in the starting 11 a single time.  Every game there's a couple of them rotated.  Enough with the rotation.  Settle in and get your best 11 on the field.   There's not a mid-week game until the end of August, there's no reason for heavy squad rotation at this point.  We're at the bottom of the table and need to play some catch-up.  

Hey Paulo, your fanbase likes winning.  We aren't really into this whole......experiment and tinker thing at the moment.  Enough with switching up 1/2 of your back line every game.  Our playoff hopes are basically gone with 12 games left in the season, and our team has been pretty embarrassing for 3 months. When you're losing to Austin F.C., and you don't even play our DP striker, you need to answer for that.  When we are two points shy of a playoff spot and you don't start our DP striker at home against one of the best defenses in the league, you need to answer for that.  When you pull Sebas at 57 minutes against F.C. Frisco, then basically bench him for the last 3 games, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I get it, Sebas doesn't always run hard, he pouts at times, and sometimes gives up on plays early.  But.......when you get him the ball in the box he puts shots on target.  Plain and simple. 

Pat, you weren't hired to help fix these sorts of things, but you talked about it being a collaborative environment all winter.  Help Paulo figure it out.  I don't know if you've noticed, but the second Sebas stepped on the field the last two games, the games changed. You know why?  Because he's pretty good.  Just once.....ONCE....we would like to see our best 11 players on the field together to start the game.  It needs to happen now.

Last night AFTER Sebas checked in.......

What is with the subs?

Not only is it confusing to not start your leading scorer constantly over the last 3 games, but what is going on with Paulo's substitutions over that span?  Let's go back to Austin F.C.  Granted, they had just played 3 nights before, but some of this I still don't understand.  Down a goal at half (2-1), Paulo subs off Coco who had gone full-blown beast mode in the early parts of the game.  If it wasn't for the fact that Hector Herrera was the one who came on, this would be even worse, but....can I ask why we didn't sub off Mattias Vera or Darwin Ceren instead?  Urruti scored to put Austin up 2 goals, Paulo makes 2 very predictable (DQ-Ver; 65th minute, Junqua+Dorsey - Lundy+Zeca; 78th minute) and bland subs, but you still have Sebas and Tyler Pasher on the bench, and you're down 2 goals.  Then, in the 85th minute, you sub in Steres for Parker?  WE'RE DOWN TWO GOALS, and you're freshening up your back line?  What are we doing?  At least put on the face like we're trying to win?  

The same thing happened last night.  Down a goal, Sebas for Vera was a good move.  But then you put in Steres for Parker in the 59th minute?  We're down a goal Paulo, and you have Tyler Pasher just sitting there.  This isn't the time to freshen up your back line.  Parker's a big boy, he can handle the workload.  Unless Steres is pushing up to get his head on the ball, there's literally no reason to make this change.  Noted, Parker got roasted on the first goal, but he had settled in and was playing just fine.  This team has no continuity, and now we are making substitutions that make no tactical sense.   We need someone asking him these questions, he needs to answer for it.  

Dynamo Fans, it's time to apply some healthy pressure.

I'm going to just put this out there.  Healthy pressure doesn't come from empty seats.  Healthy pressure would come from a packed stadium voicing their displeasure over what was going on with the team.  Not bags over our heads in the supporters section, not empty seats.  This team is pretty much immune to empty seats.  It's so immune to empty seats, we see a stadium that's 2/3rds full as "a terrific atmosphere".  20,000 fans voicing their displeasure in an appropriate way (with words/signs, and boos, not throwing things on the field or wearing bags over our heads) shows a fanbase that actually cares.  Empty seats shows a fanbase that doesn't.  If you're unhappy with what's going on, show up, make a statement, and let it be heard.  Call in the Glenn Davis on soccer matters, and let them hear it over the radio.  I'm not saying it's time to fire Asher, Pat and Paulo, but they all need to feel some pressure.  What's happening here is not good enough.  Even those of us who predicted this was coming expected a better effort to get there.

What are we trying to be?

I've had an interesting conversation over on Big Soccer this week about an Asher Mendlesohn quote.

“We want our team to look like our city.”@asherhdfc spent some time pregame giving an exclusive chalk talk to our members 💪#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/15qqSNqFvj

— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) July 23, 2022

So, just to settle some of the debate, let me tell you what a team representing the great city of Houston should look like:

1. The hardest working, blue collar team in MLS.  A tuff and gritty team that will outwork every opponent we see.  Add in a sprinkling of highly paid, super talented exec types and you've got a start.
2. The most innovative team in MLS.  A team that can turn nothing into something, like making the worlds one of the worlds lagest ports out of a couple of swampy Bayous. A team that is leading in it's industry like Houston is in Oil, Gas, energy and medicine.  A front office of hyper smart people that are on the leading edge of their field.  
3. A team that first and foremost has each other's backs like we did in....well....every Hurricane.  A team that is going to bind together to rebuild this dynasty like we banded together to help tear down and rebuild each others homes after Harvey.  
4. A team full of vibrant life, culture, and joy, regardless of background or where you came from.
5. A team with pride.  Not just pride in the #ForeverOrange, but personal pride in what they do, who they are, and what they represent.  
   

Next Up:

I keep saying how this schedule is about to get brutal, here's one of the most brutal games.

Saturday, July 30th - 6:30

Philedelphia is undefeated at home this year (6-0-5) and have outscored their opponents 20:6.  Their 6 Goals Against at home is best in the league.  They are one of only 4 teams to allow single digits in goals at home this year.  

The Dynamo are 3-7-0 on the road this year, and after winning their last road game against sit 17th in the league in road points.  They've been outscored 12-17 in 10 road games, and their -5 Goal Differential is tied for 14th.

Until then, remember to always #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange,

Brian

Day & Night: Dynamo 2:0 Nashville S.C.

 

I realize that in writing this.....I probably sound like I have dementia or something.  Being that this team has been up and down all year, my mood has also fluctuated accordingly.  The game against Nashville was a night and day performance from the previous 4 MLS matchups. It was a combination of what we wanted to see, what we needed to see, and what we hadn't seen at PNC in quite some time.  It was a passionate, purposeful, and prideful exhibition that this city and fanbase have been dying for. There was a lot more to it than just the 2:0 scoreline, there was a reason for the final score.  Last night, the Dynamo were simply the better team.  They earned all three points.  They didn't "steal" or "have it handed" to them, they went out and beat a solid Nashville squad who hadn't lost a game this month.  Let's take a look at the key moments and players in a very encouraging win by #ForeverOrange.

Nagamura rotates the 11.

Setting up in a 4-3-3 that played out almost like a 5-2-3, Nagamura had Ceren staying back and at times dropping in between Parker and Hadebe. Ceren was also responsible for man-marking C.J. Sapong in transition and making sure he didn't get free runs to the goal.  Quintero was playing a quasi false nine up top, allowing Fafa and Thor to make runs over the top and cut in behind him.  It didn't take long for the lineup to show they were here to play.  With Nashville applying soft pressure up top, the Dynamo went right at them.  Darwin Quintero fired the game's first shot just:27 into the game.  After Ceren headed a deep ball by Big Joe Willis to Coco Carrasquilla, the race was on.  Coco found Memo with a nice quick pass, who tapped it to DQ on the run.  DQ set up just outside the box and fired a shot into the back of the legs of a defender.  It wasn't awe-inspiring by any means, but it was tone-setting. Zeka chased down the carom, connected with Fafa on a give-and-go, raced past Dax McCarty on the end-line, and hit a solid low-cross that was knocked away for the game's first corner.  The Dynamo were by far the more dangerous team over the first 15 minutes of play.  Paulo had his squad compact, the passing game was crisp, and the midfield was dropping into open space and connecting the ball to Fafa and Quintero up top.  Quintero fired a through ball to Fafa that just missed (Fafa let it go because he was offside), Coco tried to hit Thor on the run in the box, (which just missed) and while both found their way to Willis the Dynamo were actively probing the Nashville backline.

 Add to that the pressure the Dynamo were applying up top, and the midfield actively winning second balls and challenges.  Thor won a ball in the attacking third that lead to a corner 6 minutes in.  Coco and Memo both were winning balls in the midfield, and turning those plays into possessions.  Memo had a great tackle of Dax McCarty just outside his own box that DQ scooped up on the run and lost trying to cut back to his right foot.  It was another ball won deep in enemy territory that Houston needed to capitalize on, but in the end, wound up as a corner.  The corner went back to Lundkvist who put in a great ball to Hadebe, but Hadebe just couldn't get the ball down.

Coco breaks the game open.

At the 15:00-mark the Dynamo broke through.  It was a beautifully crafted chance that saw 5 Dynamo players touch the ball in the attacking third, a nicely placed through ball from Zeka to Fafa, a terrific pass to Darwin in the box from Memo, and a beautiful backheel from DQ back to Memo.  Memo absolutely blasted a shot that Big Joe could only parry away, and Coco was there to put the rebound in the back of the net.  While Coco was in the right place at the right time to put it home, the goal was crafted by great ball movement and well-timed runs.

The game turned quickly after.

The Dynamo continued to attack aggressively after the goal.  Thor, Fafa, and Tim Parker all had good looks at goals but just couldn't apply the finishing touch. The Dynamo were also defending with more purpose, more physicality, and more intent than I've seen them defend in some time.  Tim Parker, Coco Carrasquilla, and Darwin Quintero all went hard into challenges giving away fouls.  While they were giving away field position, they weren't letting Nashville have an inch of the pitch easily.  It was in the 35th minute that the hardest challenge happened. 

Adam Lundkvist broke late on a ball down the sideline to Alex Muyl and came sliding in with studs up, across both legs, and cleats high.  Even though it went to Video Review, I never had a question that it was a straight red. Paulo had to change his game plan quickly, down a man with 55 minutes left to play.  Sam Junqua subbed in for Thor to replace the departed Lundqvist and stabilize the backline.  The Dynamo didn't let down.  Immediately after the freekick, Memo stole a ball right outside his own 18 and fired downfield to Quintero who lofted a nice pass to Fafa on the run. Big Joe came out and got it, but it was a sign that Paulo wasn't content to park the bus and take his chances on keeping a clean sheet.  Fafa, Memo, Coco, and DQ were actively taking on Nashville defenders and looking to create chances. All 10 men defended with pride and tenacity.  

Right after it happened, Glenn Davis on the broadcast said "This is a character evaluation for the Houston Dynamo tonight with the sending off of Adam Lundkvist...".  The team went into the half up 1:0, but had been the better team for all 45 minutes of the game.  You had to wonder what adjustments would be made by both sides at half-time. When asked by Dany Rodriguez what the main instructions were in order to keep 3-points, Nagamura replied "Mentality.  To play a man down is about mentality, now grind out the result."  Gary Smith brought in his best playmaker (Hany Mukhtar)for Alex Muyl at the half, and Nashville came out applying pressure to the Dynamo deep down the field and throwing numbers forward.  

It was at 51:37 when that pressure came back to bite them.  After Tim Parker headed away a flick down the middle, Memo tracked back to win the ball and tapped it beautifully to Darwin Quintero.  DQ received it right in front of two Nashville CB's, and Fafa looped around to make a run down his right side.  Darwin laid him a beautiful pass, and as Fafa closed on it Big Joe came running out.  Fafa took a touch to cut outside just as Willis came diving at his feet.  Willis just clipped Fafa's ankle in doing so, and referee Hany Touchan immediately pointed to the spot.  DQ lined up, sent Willis right, shot left, and the Good Guys were up 2:0.  With the way #LaNaranja was defending, you knew this game was over.  Nagamura went heavy defensive with a 58th-minute sub, switching Ethan Bartlow for Darwin Quintero.  Bartlow set the middle of a 5-man backline, using Memo, Ceren, and Coco in the midfield and having Fafa set the high line.  

Amazingly, Nashville never really broke the Dynamo down.  CJ Sapong had one really good chance off a corner, and a 65th-minute header by Ethan Zubak were the only two real threats of the second half.  When Smith brought in a triple sub (minute 65) it didn't turn the tide.  This was one of the hardest-fought games I've seen at PNC. Paulo pretty much summed it up:

"WARRIORS!"

This is what it means to win as a team 🧡#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/3zx1gFGStU

— Houston Dynamo FC (@HoustonDynamo) May 15, 2022

The Dynamo looked like they had a plan.  They executed that plan.  They were more composed, dominant, aggressive, all the intangibles that get you wins in games like this.   I don't know if this is a trend, but it would be very nice if it was.

Final Thoughts:

1. The midfield dominated the game.  Coco was arguably the best player on the field last night, Memo had his best performance of the season, and Darwin Ceren was tremendous defensively.  If you add Quintero in that mix, who had by far his best performance of May, the midfield completely outclassed Nashvilles starters of Sean Davis, Dax McCarty, and Luke Haakenson.  
2. Tim Parker wasn't having it.  Parker straight up flattened a few Nashville players who had the audacity to come into his area with the ball.  He was big, active, physical, and intimidating last night.  Stepped in and squashed some beef that Hany Mukhtar had late in the game.  Parker was the enforcer the Dynamo needed last night.
3. Set Piece defense.  There were a few scary moments, but the Dynamo defended 10 corners and several free kicks without letting Nashville get one home. The Dynamo are middle of the pack in MLS on set-piece goals given up, but last night they managed to get their head on quite a few and nock them away.
4. Eddie and Glenn talked about "fighting spirit".  That tends to happen when your goalkeeper gets soo fired up he draws a yellow by running halfway across the field.  Clark was fired up, so was Teenage Hadebe, and while getting two yellows arguing for a card on an iffy tackle isn't ideal it showed they were there for the fight. Every man that stepped on the field had a positive impact on it and even the guys left on the bench were pouring themselves into the game.  It was a beautiful sight.
5. Defense: The Dynamo bent, but never broke.  Playing down a man and getting walloped in possession, Steve Clark only had to make 2 saves the entire game.  The defense was extremely solid last night at all levels and in all phases of the game.
6. Crowd:  There was a decent crowd and good energy at PNC last night.  Let's get a few more, let's get a little louder, and let's make 16,000 feel like 60,000. 

Thanks again for reading,

Remember to #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian

A tip of the cap.

Entering the game I had an admiration for Austin F.C. for what they've built and the direction that they're headed.  I meant it when I said that I am jealous of the way the #Verde fanbase supports their team.  It's the way fanbases should support their team: they show up in numbers and have passion.  The league needs it, the sport needs it here in America, and I'm happy to see it happening here in the great state of Texas.  After writing my last post I still have respect for them, but also think they are much like their goalkeeper:  ignorant, arrogant, and slightly lacking intelligence.  Some of you are playing too far outside your goal, and getting hit with 61 yard blasts that leave you reeling.  I mean this in a pure literary sense, and I'm going to let you in on a secret: nobody cares what you think here in Houston.  You're not one of us, you're not part of us, you've never gone through the things we've gone through.  Not as a fanbase, not as a community.  You can kindly take your snooty thoughts and opinions and keep them within your own, weird #Verde culture.  I'm glad this game played out on the field, but unfortunately (for me) the better team won.  Austin F.C. has bragging rights, and as a brash young fanbase is prone to do go ahead and take full advantage of it.  Tip of the cap to you, you've earned it. 

I guess there's a place in the world for pretentious people who drink champagne with raised pinkies and hide behind a guise of sophistication and general snobbery.  I'm glad you found your place.  If all I had to cheer for was the Longhorns in this town, I'd be running to Austin F.C. too. I've been cheering for crappy teams basically my whole life and am well versed in how to love sports and teams.  I was born into some of my fandoms, others I chose to love.  The Houston Dynamo are one I choose.  I'd never chose yours. I mean, when your biggest accomplishment is beating our hot pile of garbage team you still have a long list of nothing accomplished. I seriously hope you guys have just enough success to never earn a star above your crest.  You know......like those two over ours?  

Shades of last year.

Two big tests, two tests failed, and this team is looking a little bit like a reincarnation of last year.  What both games proved is that we lack the basic ability to break down a defense and organize an attack.  Our midfield looked poor in both games, and while I acknowledge that Coco, DQ, and Vera all got banged up in the FC Frisco game we just don't have the overall quality to do what we need to do.  Both games saw us unable to get the ball into the attacking third with any form of regularity.  Both games we seemed content to take an early goal, try to sit back and bomb the ball deep down the touchlines.  Both times it came back to bite us. 

FC Dallas dominated the game from the 60th minute on.  We simply don't have the horses to take control of a game, hold possession, and grind things out.  Frisco didn't steal points from us, we didn't hand points to them, they simply beat us.  Austin FC outplayed us for 90 minutes.  It wasn't even close.  We managed to complete 3 passes into their box the entire game, and rarely broke midfield much less entered the final third.  After going up 1-0 on a ridiculous 61 yard strike by Sebastian Ferreira and playing fairly balanced over the first 20 minutes, #Verde choked the life out of us owning every major statistical category.  The final score might have been 2-1, but it wasn't even really that close.

This team simply lacks the ability to park the bus and defend while holding a lead, but they need to find it.  This team has to be better.  Point blank, end of story.  Nagamura even said it himself:

• “Players have to understand that we can’t just accept, that because we scored early, we cannot play with no urgency or no commitment to keep pushing the game as well,” 
• “After we scored, we dropped too much, and we stopped playing the way that we wanted to play on a hot day,”
• “It is really tough when you’re just defending, defending even though we were really, really dangerous directly and with our counterattack.” (Credit to The Bayoucitian)

Speaking of the midfield.....

Darwin Quintero wasn't good.  DQ had a rough night despite getting 2 decent chances in the first 20 minutes.  His passing (10/20) was off all night, especially in the short passing game (5/10).  3 of his passes were intercepted going into the final third, and missed guys on runs early in the game.  His second chance (20 yards out, saved by Tarbell 20th minute) he actually had Pasher in the box to his right. He put a good foot on it, but not good enough.  Memo had a good day statistically (3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 14/15 passing%,) but didn't do enough to help hold possession and break lines.  Memo replaced Vera and put in a Vera-esque performance.  While efficient with his passing, he only completed one pass into the final 1/3rd the entire game. You can make the same critique of Coco Carrasquilla, who outside of a really nice ball into the box to Tim Parker wasn't really a serious threat in the game. Darwin Ceren who came on in the 64th minute for Quintero, did almost nothing as did everyone else off the bench.  Pasher and Fafa rarely managed to break through and find the ball, but when they did poor touches and over dribbles plagued the day.  Fafa had one nice cut back to find DQ in front of the box in the 20th minute, but other than that was rarely dangerous.  Pasher didn't do much, gave way to Corey Baird who was awful. 

Quotables:

• "To be honest, I don't think it was our best day, we could have had a couple of better moments on the ball," Parker said of the team's performance. "Obviously, Driussi hits a really good shot into the upper corner from where he is at. There are moments that we might shut off or there are moments that we can prevent these things," Parker added. "There are moments in games where there are small mental lapses, tiredness, fatigue, poor positioning, those kinds of things." (Striker.com)
• "It started well. We scored early, but after we scored, we turned off a bit. Bottom line, it was just a poor performance overall. We came with a plan. Most of the time we stuck to that plan, but we are not consistent enough throughout the 90 minutes," Nagamura said in his assessment of the game. "I think we have to understand that we are a team that cannot afford to turn off, just because the way that we want to play and the way that this league is, very competitive," Nagamura added. "As a group, we have to make sure we are being accountable to each other and make sure that we minimize those moments because teams will capitalize on those moments. This afternoon, we had a few plays that we turned off and we paid the price." (Striker.com)
• “Real significant laceration across his knee, structurally everything looks good,” Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff said of Stuver’s injury. “They may keep him overnight to make sure they clean that up and stitch it up properly, but everything structurally looks good. It was a tough knock and the guys responded from that, but good win. Obviously Brad’s in our thoughts and he should be fine in the coming weeks. But awesome performance by the guys tonight and really proud of them to get three points on the road (in) a difficult place.” (Click2Houston)
  

Final Thoughts:

In all seriousness, Austin F.C. credit to you.  You've been taking it to us in every way since your inception.  Your Front Office has been better than ours, your coach is better than ours, your team is better than ours, and your fan base is bigger and more passionate than ours.  You've been better on the pitch, and you've been better as an organization. Your TIFO game is even strong. I tip my cap to you.  While I will never like you (in a rivalry sense), R-E-S-P-E-C-T.  Here's hoping that this rivalry gets better and better.

Thanks again for reading

Remember to #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Early Position Battles: Zeca vs. Dorsey

This offseason, there was little debate which two positions every fan saw a need to upgrade: (1) Striker. Coming off back-to-back seasons of very disappointing play from our #9's, the Dynamo HAD to get a striker capable of capitalizing on chances and creating a few themselves.  (2) Right Back.  Zarek Valentine is a great guy.  I absolutely love listening to his interviews, he seems to be involved in everything the Club does (including attending Dash games), and the locker room seems to have latched on to him. But, as much as I like the guy, he was a problem last year.  Valentine isn't the quickest player, and he was often a step slow.  While no one can really question his effort (Valentine gives all he can), his slow steps often led to goals.  He also isn't a fullback that's going to help you move the ball methodically down the field, and especially isn't going to help you move it with his feet.  Message boards were literally in a panic when an early-season injury forced Valentine back on the field.  Dorsey has been the clear-cut favorite since the early days of Training Camp and has shown some flashes here in the early part of the season.  Newcomer Zeka immediately perked up ears and has been somewhat impressive in the few minutes he's been on the field.  This is a position that could use some healthy competition.  We'll take a look at the two, why they should start, and why they should sit.

Zeca

Signed on February 10th, 2022, Zeca brought with him an Olympic medal and a lot of question marks.  Many fans hoped he would be the answer at RB, while hardly any of us knew anything about him.  The 27 year old has spent his entire career playing both back positions in Brazil's Serie A (and a year in Serie B), racking up almost 13,000 minutes played professionally.  From everything I've seen, he's super quick, not afraid to take on attackers, and has a good amount of skill with the ball at his feet.  In highlights and on paper at least, he seems like the type of back that fits Pat Onstad and Paulo Nagamura's vision.  The most intriguing thing about Zeca so far, however, is that we haven't seen much of Zeca.  Listed at 5'6" and 139 lbs, the diminutive Brazillian has come on twice for the Dynamo this season.  The first appearance, a 0-1 loss to Sporting K.C., he came on in the 86th minute for Zarek Valentine and barely even touched the ball.  His second appearance, 19 minutes off the bench against Colorado, was much more impressive.  He was extremely active up and down the right flank picking up 3 interceptions, 3 tackles, 2 recoveries, and getting 24 touches.  With those touches, he managed to complete 16/19 passes, mostly connecting well up to Tyler Pasher and inside to the midfield, and bringing the ball hard into outside spaces in the attacking third.  Zeca definitely left many of us wanting to see more, and some of us calling for him to be the starter.  

Strengths:

Zeca is quick, fast, and he plays angles well on the defensive end.   He's good with the ball at his feet, does a good job taking what the defense gives him, and can strike down the sideline when it's there. While we haven't seen much of him in MLS, his time in Serie A and with the Brazillian National Team can give us a slight glimpse.  Last year at Vasco de Gama (2,567 minutes played) he was successful on 56% of his dribbles, averaged 3.1 Tackles + Interceptions per game, averaged .8 key passes per game, and lit up the heatmap down the flanks with his ball possession.  Understandably, there are skeptics out there with the numbers being accumulated in Brasil's second division.  He was producing basically the same amount during his time at Internationale.  While there is a lot still to be seen with him, two things are for sure: (1) He's an energetic player with a good work rate. (2) He has skill to get at you multiple ways on the wing, and the patience to play the ball back when he needs to.

Weaknesses:

Size.  At 5'6", 139 lbs he's a tough matchup against some of the bigger wings in MLS.  While most of the dangerous wingers in MLS aren't necessarily going to overpower him, he'll be in a considerable size disadvantage on most nights.   

Why he should start:

Because he seems like a perfect fit for Paulo Nagamura's system and from the flashes we've seen he could be the RB we've been waiting for.  Playing him on the outside could take some creative pressure off of Corey Baird, and he's played well enough in the brief glimpse we've had of him to warrant a longer look. 

Why he should sit:

Because the bench has little to offer going forward, and Zeca could be an energy producer late in games to help turn the tide. Because he's still adjusting to a new league and a new coach, and because he wasn't here for all of training camp and isn't ready.

Griffin Dorsey

Believe it or not, Griffin Dorsey has been better than you think.  While he hasn't been Kyle Walker, he's been fairly solid in his 1 1/2 games starting at RB.  Dorsey, the former Generation Addidas player we scooped up last year, Dorsey is a guy with good size (5'11" 165), and speed.  The one-time #6 pick in the MLS Super Draft, Griffin came into the year having played the vast majority of his time as a pro up and down the right side of formations.  Dorsey seems to have settled in at RB since the start of camp.  Dorsey just turned 23, and still only has a little over 3600  minutes played as a professional.  Dorsey made a lot of strides last year towards becoming a dependable professional, and (from the limited amount we've seen of him) also made a decent jump over the offseason.  Dorsey could be a guy who makes a nice, long career here in Houston if he can continue his upward trajectory.  There has been little actual controversy as to who's position this is to man through the early part of the year.  Starting all preseason and in the first game of the year, Dorsey missed a game and a half with a slight leg injury before returning to the starting lineup against Vancouver and the Colorado Rapids.

Strengths:

Dorsey is an attack-minded player who is not scared to take on defenders or play crosses into the box.  He gets forward, he plays direct, and he's fairly good with the ball at his feet.  Dorsey is a good athlete and has good (but not great) straight-line speed.  He can cover box to box down the sideline, and is normally in the right position on defense.  Dorsey ranks 4th in total distance progressed with the ball at his feet, is 2nd in progressive carriers (18) and second in times progressed into the attacking 3rd (9). He's winning the Dynamo back possessions with high frequency, ranking 2nd on the team in tackles + interceptions, tied (12) with Mattias Vera and one behind Fafa Picault (13) although he's played 150 less minutes than either.  He's picked up as many loose balls as Daniel Steres, who's played the full 90 in every game.  Dorsey has been extremely active, and more often than not in the right places to find the ball.  He's also hitting the ball downfield and connecting to Quintero and the forwards.  He has 11 progressive passes in 206 minutes played. Dorsey is He's a decent all-around back who's young and athletic and should have a lot of upside and room to grow.

Weaknesses:

Defending.  Dorsey has trouble defending space in 1v1 situations.  He's not a terrible defender, but he can get his hips turned and beat back to the inside.  Some of this is from not playing a ton of minutes as a defender.  While it's not killing the Dynamo at the moment, it's an area he definitely needs to improve on.  His passing accuracy on creating that final pass inside the attacking third also needs work.  Griffin has to get better at getting his crosses by the first man and picking out teammates instead.  While he's not scared of taking defenders on, he needs to improve in that area also.  He's been dispossessed 4 times, which is 3rd on the team.

Why he should start:

Because he's been solid on both sides of the ball and helped balance out an attack that was very one-dimensional last year.  At 23 years of age, he has room to grow into a pretty solid RB with his athleticism, mentality, and ball skill combination.

Why he should sit:

There's simply only one reason at the moment:  Zeca is better.  We can't know the answer to this until we see more of Zeca on the field.

Final Thoughts:

This has actually been one position that the Dynamo haven't had to worry about this year.  Dorsey has done his job for the most part, and has been a solid upgrade over last year.  While I think this is most likely Dorsey's job to lose, I've seen enough of Zeca to think he could be an upgrade.  While Dorsey is solid, Zeca could be the Dynamic RB we need in this "Proactive" 4-3-3 style of play.  As this team appears to be gearing up to make some noise this year with the additions coming in, we need to find the best possible 11 to put out there.

Next Up:

Hadebe vs. Steres vs. Parker

Thanks again for reading,

Remember to #HoldItDown and stay #ForeverOrange

Brian