Colin Clark Saves a Point for 10-Man Dynamo, Draw 2-2 With FC Dallas
by Zach Woosley on May 28, 2011 10:24 PM CDT
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Down a man and a goal after Kofi Sarkodie's ejection, staring another loss to their rivals from the north right in the face, the Houston Dynamo dug deep and got an 88th minute equalizer from Colin Clark to earn a hard fought 2-2 draw with FC Dallas in a physical match that was typical of clashes between the two teams.
The first 45 minutes was a mostly entertaining bit of soccer. Both teams were able to generate attack and create good chances, with both netting nice goals as well. The Dynamo definitely had the better possession numbers but the trend of not being able to take advantage of it continued for most of the half. I'm not trying to be a total downer, they looked better with Kofi Sarkodie and Je-Vaughn Watson providing some much needed speed down the right side of the field. The more balanced attack allowed Brad Davis to have more space and helped lead to the Dynamo's goal.
After falling behind 1-0 in the 27th minute, the Dynamo continued to attack and push forward and it finally paid off right before the half. Brad Davis made one of his patented hard runs down the left wing before stopping on a dime and firing a cross back in to the Dallas box. Cam Weaver was alone in space about 10 to 15 yards out and redirected the ball to the far post, easily beating Kevin Hartman. It wasn't the first time Houston attackers were free in space in the Dallas box, but it was the first time they were able to take advantage of it.
Second half saw it's fair share of chances on goal and hard challenges, but as per usual in MLS, the referee inexplicably carded soft fouls and allowed dangerous hard challenges to go punished. On particular foul from Zach Loyd on Geoff Cameron let the Houston midfielder down for a couple minutes and very easily could have led to a knee injury or broken leg.
Dallas scored in the 69th minute as Houston once again conceded a set piece goal as Martin Chavez's corner was easily headed home by Ugo Ihemelu. It's not the first time we've seen a goal like that this season and I doubt it will be the last.
Just a couple minutes later, Kofi Sarkodie made a really dumb decision on a tackle and picked up his second yellow card, earning him an ejection. Dominic Kinnear was not happy with the rookie fullback as he walked of the pitch.
Colin Clark saved the day for Houston in the 88th minute, getting free in the box after receiving great pass from Brad Davis. Clark cooly accelerated towards Hartman, forcing the keeper off his line, and beating him with a low hard shot to the far post. Lovely strike from the midfielder and a huge point saving goal for the Dynamo. While it's still not the result the team is ultimately looking for, there was definitely a better feeling from this 2-2 finish compared to the same score last weekend against New York.
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Gak!
Gak!
Shortly before half, Marty predicted Dallas would burn Sarkodie through Shea, often their point man anyway. We both agreed that Freeman needed to come on as the rookie seemed pressured, making bad decisions, bad passes, bad first touches. The question was- how long would Dom wait?
The minutes felt like hours. 55 minutes, no cohesion or ability to hold the ball. Same-o, same-o. Cameron was taking a battering but was having a poor game even before getting the two heavy muggings. Each time, he came back into the game limping. We were begging for Freeman for Sarkodie, Cameron for Koke switches with Koke taking CAM or Watson slotting over. Instead it was Watson for Clark. I was angry about this, but was proven wrong: Clark makes good runs into the box and finishes well- and we saw Watson’s woeful finishing in the first half.
Then came the second yellow for Sarkodie. It’s frigging frustrating when you can see it coming from miles away and then have to wait to see it happen. The general internet response to criticizing managers: “Hey, dude, in Dom we trust! You aren’t a pro coach and have no MLS Cup trophies in your cabinet!”
Okay, then.
Tell me YOU didn’t see it coming… or if you weren’t praying to the Footy Gods, looking for anything in your wallet- pictures of old girlfirends, spare car keys, cash, spare change, whiskey and cigars- ANYTHING to appease the loas.
It didn’t matter. we’re seldom proactive- perpetually reactive. And once again, Koke comes in at a disadvantage, trying to make things happen.
Whatever the Cameron at attacking mid decision is, it’s time to call it a day. It hasn’t worked and it diminishes Cameron’s skills. Even Bradley in his infinite nonwisdom wants a position change, picking Cameron as an alternate at centre back. Play doesn’t flow through Cameron, it either bypasses him or stops. I prefer Koke at CAM or Watson. BTW- how long has it been since Koke started at FW for Aris? Once again, we switch people out of their skill set as if players are X’s and O’s.
Kudos to Dom for trying a different formation, bad marks for not abandoning it when it didn’t work. A 3-5-2 should control the midfield, our first goal had to bypass the midfield altogether.
More comments later, gotta take my kids out into the free world.
Gak!
Love it PT
You hit the nail on the head yet again. And to add more fuel to the fire…
I’ve said for a while now (since preseason) that once Clark got comfortable and into his rhythm on the right flank, we’d have our starter there. Clark needs to start, as he opens up the right side just as Davis can on the left. With that said, the one offensive component missing is the CAM, as the Cam at CAM experiment has utterly fizzled out. It’s time has long since come and gone, and hopefully the Gold Cup will give Cameron some time to show why we all thought he deserved to start at CB so so long ago. So, what does this leave?
A severely huge hole at CAM. We need a true, pure CAM. Koke could fill in, but I don’t see him as the long term option there unless he opts to be. He is creative and CAN work, but I would prefer a true CAM there. That opens up the middle of the field again, like back in the D’Ro and Holden days, and allows Davis and Clark to utilize less pressure on the flanks every now and again without having three or four guys on them at all times.
The Dom’s system requires a CAM who can hold the ball up, play it through, get into the action, and do it all on a consistent basis. The middle cannot be the clog in Dom’s system, it just doesn’t work. Bringing in Riordan would be bad for this system, unless they plan to target a CAM as well.
-- "...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
Post-op Clark isn’t the danger man from previous seasons. On Saturday night, I saw him take on a defender one on one, only to lose possession. This was once his forte. I was happy to see the attempt, in previous games, he would back pass instead of taking the fullback on. I’m hoping it’s just a matter of time (and possibly using a sports psychologist to regain t mental mojo).
While Cameron returning to CB may greatly improve distribution, we have a lot of good CB’s CAM and MR are where we need upgrades. Clark is coming on, but Dom’s 442 has relied on flank play and a strong central spine. As LAG proved, shut down Davis and you’re 3/4’s of the way to shutting down the Orange Offensive Engine.
Koke has most recently been a CAM. We need him to touch the ball. Often.
For those wanting the “experiment” to continue: Watch the Dynamo and see how infrequently play goes through Cameron. Then count what happens when he gets the ball. Does play go forward or backwards? What about turnovers?
Sarkodie was a mixed bag for me. As the game wore on, he looked more and move over his head and taking on water. I thought he needed to be subbed for @ half or @ least by the 60th minute- especially already carrying a yellow.
“Sometimes the feeling of impending doom is, impending doom. "
by playtherapy on May 30, 2011 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Clark has shown the flashes...
And that means he still has “it”. Of course it’s going to take time and finding that zone where he just goes at it 100% all the time. Hell, even a 75-80% Clark is 50-60% better than Ashe. I can’t say the same for Cruz. He’s dynamic and puts forth so much grit and determination on the right side that I’d like to see him back there soon.
-- "...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
GIVE KOKE A CHANCE AT CAM!!
Watson had one shot at it in his first start against Toronto and I think he deserves 30 minutes at it again.
Koke needs to be handed a start as a CAM against San Jose next week to see what he can do. He seems to be very good at passing and good when running at a defender. He played as a CAM for Aris in the UEFA Cup so I am somewhat confused as to why we are insisting on him being a forward.
Watson is definitely talented as is Clark so I am certainly happy to watch them battle it out as it has yielded 2 assists from watson and two goals and an assist from Clark thus far.
Sarkodie looked nervous but I honestly think his performance was positive despite the red card.
Positive Result
1) Watson looked much better this game and seemed motivated.
2) Sarkodie did well for a rookie. An earlier sub would have been favorable though.
3) Taylor put in a good shift. Looked strong back there.
4) Very glad to see that people are agreeing with me about our CAM options. (Although much has changed since Sat. i.e. Koke leaving)
Watson heading off for the Gold Cup comes at a lousy time as he’s just getting comfortable and would be a perfect CAM so Geoff could cover defense with Taylor and the Ginger gone. Speaking of Taylor, he’s a beast and I hope he comes back from international duty healthy, a pairing of him and Hainault would make many a forward cry.
As for Sarkodie, the red card was plain dumb, but he’s a rookie and that happens. If Ashe were healthy, he’s not in there or he’s subbed at some point after the first yellow. Oh well, lost in that card is the fact he had Brek Shea in his pocket for much of the game.
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Yo si le voy, le voy al naranja!
by Zach Woosley on May 31, 2011 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions
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