CCL Recap: Dynamo beat W Connection 2-0, move atop Group 1

The Dynamo battled hard at home and won 2-0 at home which moved them into first place in Group 1 of CONCACAF Champion's League. The Dynamo previously fought to a 0-0 draw in W Connection's home country of Trinidad and Tobago. This win means that the Dynamo control their own fate heading into the final CCL match against Arabe Unido in Panama. The Dynamo previously beat Arabe Unido 2-1 at home, but the return match won't be easy playing in Panama and the win over W Connection takes some of the pressure off of the game.

The Dynamo struggled to find a rhythm early, but still controlled the game. W Connection seemed content with parking the bus and clogging passing lanes. Alex Lopez and Servando Carrasco each got the start in the midfield, and gained ground improving their dynamic with the team each providing technical abilities and sound passing. They struggled on the defensive end, but these were important minutes for the new men in orange.

After struggling to find ways into the WC Connection final third early on, the Dynamo found a few quality opportunities. Cam Weaver had two back to back chances and then Kofi Sarkodie came up with one of the best chances of the game but a goal line clearance saw the game remain level at 0-0. Jason Johnson found the net shortly before halftime in which he let loose an amazing effort from roughly 10 yards out into the far corner of the net.

The Dynamo looked much better starting out the second half. A few dangerous chances were created by W Connection, but nothing came of them. In the 51^st minute Bobby Boswell headed home an Alex Lopez corner kick - perhaps a sign that the Dynamo are back to being dangerous on set pieces!

Following this the Dynamo controlled most of the quality chances and nearly found the net several moe times - most notably by Omar Cummings, Servando Carrasco (whom also had a Karate Kid like shot on goal), and Cam Weaver. What Dynamo fans should take from this game - aside from the win that moved them into first place in the group - is that Omar Cummings started and looked great, Tyler Deric returned from injury and put in a solid effort, and that Carrasco and Lopez both got needed minutes and put forth quality efforts. From a personnel standpoint it's great to see these players put in good games, which gives us options down the line in our playoff push and our push in CCL. Overall it was a deserved win by the better team. The score line could have read 5-0, but we'll have to settle for 2-0.

The Dynamo next play at New England Saturday night, while they close out CCL play in Panama on October 24th.