Recap: Dynamo stumble in second half, fall 4-1 to Red Bulls

The Houston Dynamo dropped 3 points at BBVA Compass Stadium in truly devastating fashion to the New York Red Bulls. As if the Dynamo's playoff hopes needed another late hit, this one stings because it was at home and, personally, I thought we left Montreal-esque performances in Canada (when we were defeated 5-0).

Things weren't all bad though. The Dynamo played a very good first half that saw them level 1-1 at the end of 45 minutes. Eric Alexander opened the scoring, but Jason Johnson scored after a very cool chip pass by new designated player Alexander Lopez. The Dynamo battled and won the fight for possession, and had a few good open looks - most notably Will Bruin's open net sitter after a well placed pass by Cam Weaver.

As soon as the whistle blew for the start of the second half however, everything was different - and not for the better. New York found a comfortable rhythm early and then Henry happened. Thierry Henry scored in just the 47^th minute which took away much of the confidence the Dynamo had while trying to move forward. What confidence was left was taken away after a Jonny Steele goal in the 58^th minute. After this goal - and with shades of what had happened midweek at Columbus - the Dynamo struggled to possess and move the ball to the forwards, the forwards failed to capitalize on opportunities, and passing overall was nowhere near as accurate as the first half.

Brian Ownby came on and looked to create some form of offensive momentum, but calls were not going the his way, a few of which prompted Dominic Kinnear to speak his mind to head official Chris Penso. Penso didn't like what Kinnear had to say, and swiftly sent him off the pitch and into the locker room. An 88^th minute goal by Lloyd Sam sealed a result which was pretty much already a given.

There were a lot of known omens with this game, so to speak: the injuries, the call-ups (including late addition to the USMNT Brad Davis), and maybe even the thunderstorms before the game, but nobody thought this game would end the way it did. The Dynamo are still in a position to take one of the middle playoff position spots, but they really need to turn things around and start picking up 3 points - and soon. Next week's match against the Philadelphia Union is a good place to start for our playoff push. Right the ship there, and we can still keep hoping - any later, and the Dynamo run the risk of turning it on too late.