Korb should have already been carrying a yellow before the PK call, but Toledo gave him a warning. Kitchen was like an octopus every time he was near a Dynamo player, and I like Pontius, I'm not saying he's dirty, but he's a physical player too. I have no idea how we get labelled as thugs when it's usually our guys who have the ball and are being literally attacked by defenders. We had something like 65% possession right? Barnes got nailed four or five times. Rico had his face in DC elbows quite often, and I honestly worry about Boniek getting injured because he consistently draws two or three very active challenges per game.
Here's a good story from CultureMap Houston about last night's game and about Brad Davis in particular. http://houston.culturemap.com/newsd...-your-set-piece-better/?utm_source=sf_twitter
I unfortunately watched from home last night, but the one thought that I made note of during the game was me thinking "wow, we're actually starting to play a pretty attractive game of soccer." Yes, there was still the physical play and some tough challenges (and I think Rico got lucky on the missed foul where Kitchens ended up slightly bloodied) but we really possessed and attacked well, made some intelligent runs and interplayed well. With the addition of more creative, technical talent like Boniek and Barnes to go along with Davis as well as talented younger guys like Bruin and Sarkodie, we're starting to evolve past the "physical" reputation of past Dynamo teams and into a more complete club that I think will be able to play with anyone in MLS.
I felt like we actually caught a break when Cam was deemed unfit to play for the match as he is not a good pairing up top with Bru. as we would have been too slow. The game would have been much uglier as teams will play a very high line when those two are together resulting in absolutely no space in the middle of the field. We saw alot of those games at Robertson when Ching and Weaver were paired together. Fisrt part of the game I felt that we still had our preseason touch but by the time the middle of the second half we were much sharper and DC didn't have as much energy to defend as they did the first half. Barnes has got to get a little better in the final third but his movement and his pressure on thier back line was exactly what we needed in the second forward. I think he did great filling in at forward and I hope he can be moved back to attacking mid with Rico moved back to defensive mid when Omar returns to form. Great defense last night I really like how our outside backs can handle the ball when we keep it on the ground. Davis and Boniek were OK but didn't have their usual 'head above the rest' performance. Creavelle would be starting on any other team but we are just too deep right now. Very deep. Great team effort from dom amd the boyz.
Well you know how it goes when the Dynamo play physical "OMG such thugs" but when their team does it "look at the toughness of our team." They can take their labels and stick where the sun don't shine.
That is the main point here. United didn't have an answer on their bench to change the flow in the second half. We are massively spoiled with our depth and that is without Cam and Driver. About half way in the second half Garcia and Davis swiched sides but Barnes was without a doubt played one heck of a game, definitely was in good form for the first game of the season.
I'm starting to think we may have found a real gem in Barnes. Dude is clearly a very good player and has some wheels to boot. Looks like he's gained his confidence back during the pre-season, and rightfully so. The finish could have been better on this break, but the fact that he closed that ball down in the first place is great and is something we miss with slower/less aggressive strikers. Also, Bruin looks to have slimmed down a little and I think his speed has increased slightly, good for him. Really good hustle work tonight and he'll no doubt get lots of looks on goal this year. Sick that we looked how we did without Carr and Cummings. Can't wait for this season.
What I recall of Ben Olson as a player was that he was a fouling, loudmouth crying biatch. he has managed to reflect his persona onto the team he coaches. look at the players he wants on his team; La Pescadita and Pajoy who I honestly believe must have an arrest warrant somewhere. there were two plays where the card should have been red since it involved the last defender fouling a Dynamo player. on the penalty the dude just got a yellow. The DC Goalie played very well and was the main reason the game was tied for so long. that and the fact we couldn't finish even when we had a Brad Davis in front of the Goalie one on one. We always start slow but if this is first gear than I can't wait to be on third and fourth gear.
For those of you not yet ignoring me: 1) Although the typical "need to be better in the final third" holds, I thought overall the Dynamo played pretty well, just seemed to be off a bit in connecting with each other. A few times you could see a guy running on to a ball and another Dynamo player would cut him off or steal it from him. 2) Solid play from Barnes and Clark. Barnes clearly has more skill then the typical MLS midfielder, now he's in shape. 3) DC was the more physical team in terms of hacks and pushes. Teams are going to try and beat on Boniek all year. 4) The PK call ended up being moot, but that was a clear DOGSO if it isn't a PK so Toledo did the Solomon thing and split the baby. On Davis, usually he just pulls it hard right into the side or corner over the past few years and the keepers just can't save it. When he goes to the left (or to the keeper right), I think he tips off the direction with his plant foot as his follow thru is completely different when he goes that way. It seems like keepers are all over it when he goes that way. 5) Marschider was the backup keeper - I can only assume they did that because Deric is suspended for the Santos 1st leg and wanted to get him used to the gameday routine. I think. 6) Even though DC fell back, we did give them a few good chances in front of the net, and they botched a 3 v 1 late in the first half. That said, we were the better team and deserved the 3 points.
Ironically I had to use the "view ignored content" button to see what that was. But to comment on what WC said about Deric, he was injured this week, just slightly, hopefully he'll be ready for Tuesday. If Dom decides to use him.
I think he is suspended for Tuesday due to a second group stage yellow for time-wasting he got in the last group game.
Oh, and it was cool but not nearly as cool at game time as forecasted. The concession lines were long the whole game, have no idea why but after a few minutes of not moving we bailed on that. And the anthem was awful. I have no idea who she was or if she is famous, but it sucked.
Look at the highlight video. I was watching it last night and was just thrilled to see how as soon as Kofi booted the ball to the other end of the field, Barnes just took off. I don't know how he knew he'd have a chance to get the ball, but he was flying down the field to get it. Would've been extra special had he scored, but oh well. I think the next time there's a PK called, Brad lets Barnes take it. Brad's missed three in a row, including preseason.
AND...How can you not love Moffat? It would have been sweet if his shot at the beginning of the game had gone in. And to think Dom didn't even know about his shooting ability when he traded for him.