What started off as an amazing week ended with a tremendous night. Tuesday's meet the team night was really special, and getting to talk to many fans (including Wayne of the Scarf-Kilt clan and Web Tilton) and the guys was really awesome. I got to tell Fafa I hope he can come back next year, speak German with Marco Maric, and say thanks to all the guys for being here and for the effort they give. I even made Tim Parker laugh. Wednesday was my birthday, fall weather set in, and I was really looking forward to Saturday night. Wade and I decided to go a little early due to concerns that there would be no parking and traffic might be a nightmare due to the Astro's playoff game. It turned out to be a great decision to get there early and pre-game at Pitch 25. Not only was Brian Ching's establishment hopping with a mixture of Astros and Dynamo fans, it was buzzing. We had decided to grab a bite and split a bucket while we waited, and as there was no place to sit we posted up in a standing-room-only spot. When a seat finally opened up, we noticed there was a young lady and an older gentleman in a Dynamo shirt sitting on the other side of the fire pit. We asked if it was ok if we sit, they said sure, and Wade and I sat down and started talking about the state of the Dynamo. The gentleman sitting next to us then slid over next to us and said "You guys look like fans, are you die-hards? You've got the patches and stuff." We gave an affirmative. "Let me ask, how long have you guys been fans." We answered he sized us up, and I guess he figured we were ok dudes. "OK, Trivia question: Who's the only Canadian currently playing for the club?" We both shouted back "Tyler Pasher!" and he answered, "Well, you're right, and he's my son, and this is his fiance and his mom." We were like "WHAT?" Here we were having drinks with Tyler Pasher's family before the game. We talked for about 30 minutes before he ran off to the Suite. It was his first-ever Dynamo home game and he was super excited to be here. I told Wade all week this was going to be a depressing game. He kept telling me to have faith. He was right, I was wrong and last night ended up being a blast.
An Interesting tactical switch to start:
I noticed right away that Tab had the guys lined up in an interesting way. We lined up in a 5-2-3, with Zarek Valentine playing in the middle of the backline, flanked by Parker or his right and Hadebe on his left. Griffen Dorsey was playing RB, with Junqua on the left. Coco Carrasquilla and Mattias Vera were basically playing double pivots, playing with the goal of trying to bang the ball over the top to Fafa on the run. Urruti and Quintero were finding space in behind him and on the wings as Fafa's speed was stretching out Seattle's back 3. What was most intriguing is that our back 3 was basically man-marking Seattle's front line. Rarely did you see Zarek further than a foot away from Will Bruin, regardless of where the ball was. You'd have to say that it worked, as Bruin didn't get off a single shot the entire game. Roldan and Freddy Montero were also having trouble just getting the ball in workable areas because Vera and Coco were doing a great job of pressuring them in the final third. Between the three, they combined for only 2 shots on target in 253 minutes of play. Going forward, it lined up more like a 3-4-1-2 with Quintero playing a #10 and Fafa/Urruti making runs in front of him. The plan was to play the ball deep and over the top and look to strike quick, and you could see this from the beginning.
Seattle was occasionally finding cracks in the Dynamo defense, and often time it came off of turnovers in the midfield. A Darwin Quintero slip at midfield opened the door for the Sounder's first real chance of the game. Joshua Atencio scooped up the ball and Seattle had a serious counter building with numbers (4v2). Atencio cut inside and dropped the ball to Fredy Montero (who was under instant pressure from Tim Parker). Christian Roldan had slipped right in front of goal in the transition, and Montero found him and his heavy right foot with Michael Nelson dead to rights. Nelson was cover near post, and the far post was wide open. Coco managed to slide over in front and Roldan hit it wide right, but it was the first serious threat the Sounders had found in the game.
Seattle was doing a great job circulating the ball and making timed runs in the early part of the game, but Vera, Coco, and the back 5 were really being disciplined and holding shape which allowed them to win second balls and pick off long passes. Houston wasn't knocking, but not really threatening in the first 10 minutes, as Fafa could never really connect at the end of the deep balls being played, and crosses by Dorsey and Quintero kept finding Sounders defenders. When Quintero won a free kick deep in Seattle's side at the 13:00 mark, they finally found the back of the net.
It was perfectly set up, and it felt like Tab had this exact situation scouted out. Urruti timed his run perfectly, Darwin put it on a dime, and Urruti was soo open Wade and I both thought he had to be offsides. The angle was difficult, but Urruti volleyed it to the far post and past a diving Stefan Frei for a 1-0 lead. It had to feel good for Urruti, who has been scoreless since June 26th. It was a rare set-piece goal for the Dynamo as well as it was just their 5th on the season and their 3rd at home. Houston ranked 24th in the league in set-piece goals coming into the game, ahead of only Inter Miami (1) and Austin FC (2). It was a beautiful strike from Maxi as he looked over his shoulder and just got a perfect foot on it. Seattle played for the next few minutes slowly building attacks and playing at a methodical pace looking to slip through the Dynamo defense. Maxi Urruti drew a foul in the attacking third in the 18 minute mark, and while what happened next wasn't a direct result of the free kick, the foul helped us get possession in a workable area.
If you haven't seen Darwin Quintero's 19th-minute goal, no picture will do it justice. It's probable the most dynamic goal I've ever seen live, and was just an absolute beauty. Darwin completely embarrassed 2 Seattle defenders and smashed a left-footer past Stefan Frei. El Scientifco del gol reminded everyone who he is for the second time that game. Up 2-0, you had to have a feeling we could pull it off, but there was still 70+ minutes left to play. At the 40 minute mark, Seattle decided to add into the night of ridiculous goals with one of their own. Coming off a corner, Jimmy Medranda found a deflected ball just outside the 18 and hit an absolute laser into the far post upper 90. Houston pushed hard to find a third goal at the end of the half but just couldn't find their way through.
The game really opened up in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
Opening the second half with the exact same tactical lineup, it didn't take long for the Dynamo to find another chance. Quintero hit the post on an amazing bicycle attempt off a Fafa headed cross, Griffen Dorsey chased down the rebound and blasted a right-footer just wide. The Dynamo just missed at the opportunity to go up 3-1 which most likely would have been the nail in the coffin. 5 minutes later, Sam Junqua just missed on a header off a corner, just nipping the crossbar. The Dynamo were literally 3 inches from being up 4-1 in the opening 10 minutes of the half. After Teenage Hadebe went down with an injury, the momentum began to shift. Fredy Montero had a chance hit right at Michael Nelson (59th minute). Dorsey found the post off a corner on the ensuing possession for the third Dynamo shot to be denied by the woodwork in the first 15 minutes of play. Only minutes later Montero left a beautiful pass to Roldan who was all by himself inside the 18 again, only to blast it 20 feet high of the goal. Literally 3 minutes later, Niclas Benezet's pass was picked off (after an absolute blast from Tim Parker's shoulder) by Darwin Ceren, and Ceren just managed to one-touch tap it to a racing Fafa down the left sideline. Fafa was 1v1 with Shane O'Neil, cut inside, and left a terrific pass for a Maxi Urruti who had circled down the left-sideline. Urruti hit a really nice back post bender, but that shot also hit the woodwork and the Dynamo were denied once again.
Second-half tactics changed.
Around the 70th minute, Tab began to change his formation. Zarek moved back outside, with Parker and Maynor Figueroa (who had come on for Hadebe) posting as a CB pair. It's when Tab brought on Joe Corona (76th minute) for Griffen Dorsey that he finally completely changed his formation. Utilizing a deep-lying 4-3-3/4-4-2 mashup in order to keep 7-8 in the defending third at all times, Tab basically parked the bus and looked to counter. Pasher came on for Maxi Urruti (76th minute) and Quintero was playing almost as a false 9 with Pasher and Fafa making runs off of him. You have to say the tactical change worked, as Seattle was unable to get a single shot attempt off for the rest of regulation (not added time). El Naranja was able to hold possession over the final 10 minutes, and managed to get off two more shot attempts (Pasher - 82nd-minute volley and Junqua's 83rd-minute header) but neither were particularly close. As we coasted into stoppage time, the Dynamo looked to be in total control of the game. All it took whoever was one Maynor Figueroa trip of Christian Roldan just outside the 18 to almost change the fortune. The ensuing free-kick was absolutely blasted by Jao Paolo.....and it also hit the woodwork. Nouhou Tolo chased down the second ball and just couldn't get a clean header on it, Parker cleared it, and the fireworks and game were both essentially over.
Darwin Quintero was unbelievable last night:
1 unreal goal, 1 absolutely gorgeous assist, 7 key passes 11 shot-creating actions, 7/8 on dribbles, 45 carries, 12/14 on balls downfield to Fafa and Urruti, Darwin is in form. While Darwin has gotten a knock for his defense, his 35.7% pressure rate (5/14) ranked best among midfielders and forwards. Darwin was spraying beautiful passes all over the field, he made several Seattle defenders look helpless, and was doing what he does best: create havoc with the ball at his feet. If we can remember back, Darwin was in really bad form to start the season. He didn't post a goal or assist in May, June, or July playing mostly off the bench. People online dubbed him "El Scientifico del Turnover" and had a lot of negative things to say about him He's playing lights out at the moment, and the team is really gelling with him in the starting lineup.
Fafa's biggest impact didn't come from having the ball.
Fafa was making unbelievable runs behind the Seattle back-line, and opening up gaping holes for Quintero and Urruti. There was literally no one on Seattle's team that could hope to keep up with him. While Fafa made several nice plays (including the lay-off to Urruti), without his runs keeping Arreaga and Oneil honest I don't know the Dynamo win this game.
The Defense had a big game although not statistically.
Seattle held possession (58%-42%) but mostly with their backline and midfield. While Parker, Hadebe and Zarek Valentine were really good last night, they only combined for 4 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 blocks. They did manage 13 clearances and won 6/7 areal duels inside the box. What's most important is that they were just always where they were supposed to be, and never let Will Bruin get a single shot off. While Fredy Montero caused problems at times, and Christian Roldan had two really good scoring opportunities, those opportunities came from playing between lines and Coco and Vera made Roldan and Montero's life very difficult. One thing Tab has done really well this year is shutting down opposing team's strikers, and last night was a great example of that. Seattle came into the game 3rd in MLS in goals scored, averaging 4.41 Shots on Target/90 and 12.96 Shots/90. They are the third most efficient team scoring the ball (.36 goals/shot on target), and to hold them to 3 shots on target and 1 goal took all 11 to accomplish.
Coco Carrasquilla may be the midfielder we've been looking for:
Not the creative midfielder, but the compliment to Mattias Vera. While Vera was his usual workhorse self last night (12 recoveries, 2 interceptions, 2 blocks, 2 fouls drawn, 94.2% passer rating, and a team-high 43 carries), Carrasquilla had a really good night himself. Posting 1 Tackle, 3 interceptions, 5 recoveries, 1 block, and a huge defensive rotation that just threw Roldan off at the last second from about 8 yards out. Carrasquilla also connected well in attack, both finding a way through Seattle's midfield with his feet and connecting the ball up to the next line. When Coco came here, there was a lot of hope he would be what Darwin Quintero has been since he was re-inserted into the starting 11. Coco has looked better playing behind and linking up with the forward attackers. I'd love to see him in this role for the rest of the year.
Final Thoughts:
A win is a win is a win. After this year, I'll take three points every time our Dynamo decide to serve them up. I realize this Seattle team was playing without Raul Ruidiaz, but they've managed to win without him before. Seattle has a really good and deep team, and I'll never turn down beating the first-place team in your conference. Despite all that's gone on this year, there are good things happening here. We have some younger guys (Junqua, Dorsey, Carrasquilla) who are really coming along, and while they may turn into solid MLS players. Dorsey picked up another assist last night and has been quietly getting better each week. Nelson has done a solid but not spectacular job in goal. Honestly, what sets Nelson apart from Marco Maric is his ability to distribute. Nelson might not be a superstar, and may never be, but he's a solid and reliable keeper who doesn't make mistakes. After getting pummeled 4:2 to Sporting KC, and a 0-0 draw to Vancouver, to play this game (it was seriously one of the most exciting games I've seen live) and beat this team feels good. Let's celebrate it and see if we can pick up another on Wednesday night. Glen Davis however, said it best:
Thanks again for reading,
#HoldItDown and remember to stay #ForeverOrange
Brian
I have no real problem with the Bassi red-card. There was obviously no intent behind it by Amine, and it happened so fast that Vasquez didn't even catch it in real-time. You can even see Nicolas Lodeiro sitting on the ground and saying "You're gonna look at it right? Are you gonna look at it?" and Vasquez shaking his head "no" right after it happened. Then you see his facial expression change as the call comes down, and him going to the screen. If you really want to know if it was a red, check out Bassi's facial expression when Vasquez communicates that he's going to the screen. Bassi knew it was the end of his night the second it went to V.A.R. Just two guys going after the ball, and a poorly placed cleat by Bassi, but definitely not a malicious act. The second red that put the Dynamo to 9 men? That was a call that was given because HH had spent a little too much time arguing with the ref. That's never a yellow, not even if he was sitting on one. This is what it took for the Fortress of Solitude to be broken into. Rubiel Vasquez found the enormous golden arrow leading to the door, which also happened to be the key, and sneaky Nicolas Lodeiro found his way in. It wasn't just that we got two reds, and that one of them was ridiculously weak, it's the amount of stuff that Vasquez let go to begin with. If you think about it, if VAR hadn't called down, Bassi wouldn't have even gotten a foul called against him. Go from not calling a clear red, to calling a second yellow on HH (also a phantom call at midfield in the 40th minute), to calling NOTHING against a guy grabbing Corey Baird by the face and dragging him down and it was just an inconsistent mess of a performance, and it honestly cost the Dynamo points. There are soo many things about this league and its structure that needs to improve for the United States to make a jump to a top Soccer destination World-Wide. Adding to that consistent low level of officiating year after year, AND that those refs continue to make appearances year after year. There needs to be major change in the way MLS holds referees accountable, trains referees, and promotes referees. If they put together a system training referees the with the same fire that they put towards developing players, we could see some of these referees out of here and replaced by a better level of officiating. Don Garber recently said that the USOC wasn't the level of product that MLS wanted, but at least the officiating didn't overshadow the game. This is something that's killing his league, he needs to act on it.
