Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City: Victory at a Cost
by Zach Woosley on Nov 6, 2011 9:18 PM CST
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Now that the initial euphoria and joy from the Houston Dynamo's victory at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park has begun to wear off a little, we are left with the lingering concern that while the Dynamo will play for the MLS Cup in two weeks, the already difficult task has been made considerably harder due to an injury to team MVP Brad Davis. While it does take just a bit of the shine off the win, I doubt Davis himself would want us not to celebrate and enjoy the evening.
I doubt you could of scripted a better 90 minutes for the Dynamo than how things played out in Kansas City on Sunday evening. A dominating defensive performance that saw Houston clean sheet a team that has been an offensive powerhouse of late. Another scrappy set piece goal from Andre Hainault (who also scored the first goal in the Union series) and a second MLS goal for Carlo Costly who has come up big a key moments of late for the Dynamo after some disappointing early performances.
It's another feather in the cap of head coach Dominic Kinnear who has guided this team from the depths of the 2010 season that saw Houston miss the playoffs for the first time, all the way back to an MLS Cup Final, the third trip to the final in this franchise's six season. There were plenty of doubters along the way and plenty of questions about if Kinnear could still get things done, and he proved them all wrong by getting the Dynamo settled and playing their best soccer as the playoffs began.
Like the idea of playoffs or not, Kinnear is a master of getting his teams to peak at just the right time and making all the right adjustments in the pressure cooker environment of the postseason. It's not a situation every coach thrives in, but there's little doubt Kinnear is one of the best when the pressure is the greatest and the spotlight is the brightest.
As for Davis, the injury appears to be a torn right quadricep which will likely keep him out of the final. Anything is possible, but it looks like the Dynamo will have to finish their third championship without a key part of what got them here in the first place. However, it's not like Kinnear hasn't dealt with that before and previous experience plus two weeks to prepare should mean the Dynamo will be more than ready when they take the field at the Home Depot Center on November 20th.
For tonight though, let's just enjoy this.
The Dynamo are the Eastern Conference Champions...that's fun to say. Let's see if we can say even more two weeks from tonight.
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Let's hope against hope that he didn't tear it
Although even if he just strained it, I doubt he could play next week.
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Follow @PatrickHarrel
If it’s not torn, he’s got two weeks to make a miraculous recovery.
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"You live and learn. At any rate, you live." -Douglas Adams
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory
Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
Break out the horse placenta
Two things to consider:
1. In the 2007 final, we were without far and away lead scorer Brian Ching for much the same injury, sustained in the semifinal win over KC. Result: Second star
2. While Davis might or might not recover in two weeks, someone who just might is Colin Clark. My off the cuff thinking on the non-Davis lineup vs. the Gals, thus, is
Ching-Carr (though I might prefer Bruin or Costly in Carr’s spot. Will have to look at the matchups)
Clark-Camargo-Moffat-Cruz
Ashe-Cameron-Boswell-Hainault
Hall
Clark has played on the left before and will provide a steady hand over there. I do not want to break up the back line, no matter how well Ashe played in midfield once Davis went out today, and Jermaine Taylor in his place.
This is just a preliminary thought though.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
I agree
This back line has been something else. Once Ashe moved up, there were some glaring errors, which Hall helped cover for. We could’ve been burned multiple times. We can’t do that against LA. So yes, in summary, put Clark in for Davis, even if Davis heals enough to play. Bring Davis on as a sub later if he CAN play at all. Even still, keep the back line as it’s been. Ashe has been simply stellar the last few games along the outside, and Hainault has held his own. Boswell and Cameron look good in the middle (I think part of this is having Hainault not far away to cover on a glaring mistake or otherwise).
Anywho, yes, keep the back line unchanged, please. Now isn’t the time to pull a Nowak…
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
WHAT'S UP WITH THE CLARK SITUATION??????????????
He’s not listed as injured. Dom said a week ago in an interview prior to the 2nd leg of the Philly adventure, he was nursing an injury. What’s the story???
Official word I heard was he's still nursing the injury
That was what I heard on the TV I believe. But it wasn’t a matter of he couldn’t go, but he couldn’t go at 100%. I suspect with a 2 week layoff, he’ll be 100% and we’ll see Clark in for Davis. But who knows…
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
it's official
Davis WILL NOT play. Torn quad, via espn. So it may, or may not be true. That’s what espn was saying anyway. Still like our chances though. We are, without a doubt, the hottest team in the mls right now. The wiz had only lost two games at home this year. Before tonite, that is. Dale dale dale dynamo. And give it we did. FOREVER MOTHER FUCKING ORANGE BITCHES!!!!!!!!
by HTown80 on Nov 6, 2011 10:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Lets hope
that the lights of the Home Depot Center are properly working for the entire match on the day of the final
For real
because guess what…we’re playing “Big Brother” in the MLS Cup!!! Hoo-boy, AEG will not be too happy if we seem uppity enough to try and beat the golden team full of DP signings whilst we have young, talented players, role players and a couple of loan players. Better take one of our facilities guys to give THDC a once-or-twice over to make sure there’s no funny business.
I’m still trying to process today but…….DYNAMO FOREVER!!!! DALE DYNAMO!!!!!
Okay
I know I shouldn’t do this, some will claim jinx…
Costly’s going to go off this game. He’s going to start (don’t know why I believe this, but I do), and he’s going to score the first goal of the match. He’s also going to show up on the biggest MLS stage and prove he is more than just a country player.
Wow…and I’m saying that right now…imagine what I’ll be predicting in 2 weeks when the game gets here.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
As a Sporting KC fan, I just want to say congratulations to the Houston Dynamo and their fans.
You guys were the better side tonight, and deserve to move on to the finals. Crossing my fingers that Brad Davis’ injury isn’t too bad. He’s a great player.
TheDailyWiz.com
twitter.com/TheDailyWizKC
thanx justin
Class that only a true football fan could exude. After the Costly goal, a few fans flipped him the bird, chanting, “f**k you”. I was hoping this wasn’t a kc wide thing. As far as davis, looks like he’s done for the year. Torn quad is what I hear. Hey, we did it without ching in 2007, we’ll do it again in 2011 without davis. Thanx again on the congrats. Be proud of your club. They have a bright future. Dale dale dale dynamo!!!!!
by HTown80 on Nov 7, 2011 12:15 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Unfortunately
We’ve seen the same behavior from our own fans and this holds true throughout the world. Ironically, the Houston players loved the reception, laughing and exulting in KC’s frustration.
Frankly, I was shocked Vermes didn’t make better tactical adjustments. KC is so dangerous, yet their speed was never fully uitlized. Credit Dom’s master plan and our defensive unit for snuffing out a very potent attack…
Class act all the way
While I knocked on Aurrelian (or however the heck his name is spelled) earlier in the season for what I deemed to be completely uncalled for roughness, I do believe SKC is an up and coming team who has it’s better years ahead. This season was only a taste of what SKC can do in games, and it was impressive. In football, every game comes down to who plays better that day. Were this a different day, probably a different result, maybe. SKC played hard, but they couldn’t find the net, and Hall wouldn’t dare let them.
Good luck in the coming seasons. I honestly hope this is the beginning of a fun rivalry (unlike the FCD rivalry, which is fueled by pure hatred) which will see SKC and the Dynamo atop the Eastern Conference for many seasons to come. Just get rid of that French D man and we’ll be El Sympatico.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
Pure class Justin. You guys were in voice over there, and I love, love, love those fans flipping off Costly after his goal. THAT’S the spirit! I’d like to buy those people some beer. They deserve it for their suffering.
"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie
Yeah, I certainly don't discredit the passion the SKC fans display
The intensity in that stadium just watching the game on TV was evident, and passionate fans do passionate things. Flipping the bird after the goal that essentially seals the game? Yes, that is football. And it may be classless to most US fans, it’s quite a normality elsewhere. Even still, I can’t blame them one bit. I might honestly have done the same in the heat of the moment, and Costly did antagonize them a bit.
As I said before, I hope this SKC thing can turn into a top of the Eastern Conference rivalry with many good years still to come in the epic tale of two teams.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
Thoughts
-Ashe has improved tremendously. Excellent defending (got beat by Kamara once-I didn’t know he was that fast) and stepped into midfield when need. He was also effective in the midfield which in years past maybe not so much.
-Mentioned earlier was a line up of Clark in for Davis and keeping Ashe in the back. That is maybe best, but Ashe in mid and Taylor in back looked good. I’d be okay with that.
-Cameron needs to be careful not to lose possession when dribbling out of the back. One take-away and we could get burned.
-Moffat on set pieces! What! Give that guy a raise please. Also, do whatever it takes to keep Camargo (I know he missed an easy one and the frustration led to his booking, but I think we can forgive him for that one). These two guys have improved our team tremendously.
- I love this team! We have heart, grit, character, and class. The players always make themselves available to the fans and they are active members of the community. Dale Dynamo!
More thoughts
-Brian Ching played like a beast last night. He led like a true captain by example by dropping deep and defending. Did you guys see his effort on defense? That type of play raises the level of production from your teammates. Thanks for the leadership Ching.
-Calen Carr has been doing well these last games that he’s been playing. Glad to see he’s been able to get back to form after his injury.
-Congrats to Costly on his goal. Thank goodness it went in after pinging it off the post otherwise I’m not sure he’d be able to emotionally handle it. And we don’t want any players slumping going into the finals.
-Danny Cruz had a good game. No lapses on defense which is very good. Now if he could only reign in his first touch, he’d be truly dangerous.
The one "good thing" about Davis' injury?
No doubt about it…he’ll be back next season demanding the team push for another deep playoffs run. Missing the MLS Cup? It drove Chinger last time ’round.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
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