The Houston Dynamo fought back from an Eddie Gaven brace to record a 2-2 draw against Columbus last night at Crew Stadium.
And what a brace it was. Following a Will Bruin goal, Gaven went to work, scoring via a boneheaded series of plays from the Dynamo backline, specifically, and in order, by Bobby Boswell, Andre Hainault and Geoff Cameron, and then recording another wonderstrike from distance.
But the Dynamo, and in particular Messrs. Brian Ching, Boswell, Cameron, Hainault and Tally (Freakin') Hall would not be denied. There's no need for me to go over the whole blow-by-blow because by now, you will have read an account (here and here) or seen some highlights. Not seen the highlights? Well then:
Now that, my friends, is how you come back and then save a road draw. Let us all kneel and thank the goalkeeping gods for reaching down and bestowing Tally Hall upon us. Praise be their names.
It has been said in this space and many others that when it comes to championship seasons, the key is to go even on the road and take care of business at home. You do that, and you're right there. So, with 21 points on offer in the season-opening seven-game road trip, the key was to get 10 or 11 (Though it goes without saying that you fight for all three every time you hit the field, let's be realistic now.) Any less, and we worry. Any more, and it should honestly be counted as gravy. Well, the Dynamo now stand with eight points out of 15 so far and really should get 10 or 11 to meet the standard by the time they open BBVA Compass Stadium on May 12. That's what a successful road trip looks like.
The Dynamo face the uneven D(amned)C United this Saturday, April 28, and then finish the road stand in Harrison, N.J. to face New York Red Bulls. I look at those two game and think six points is within our grasp, but, again, trying to be realistic, I'll be happy with 2-4. If Dynamo come home with 14 points out of 21, anyone caught complaining has to attend a game in Frisco, and you really don't want to do that, now do you?
As for reaction to last night's game, check out this list: