Recap: Houston Dynamo fall to Real Salt Lake

Five goals scored against us from Real Salt Lake.  Five! The game opened up with Javier Morales scoring the fastest goal in RSL history (second fastest in BBVA and fourth fastest in MLS overall) at just 15 seconds. They Dynamo just couldn’t recover from the stunner. After another scare in the third minute we finally got our bearings straight for a bit…until the 17^th minute. Morales once again proving the threat he is put another in the back our net.

Finally getting back to the fundamentals for a few minutes Mark Sherrod in his first Houston Dynamo start opened up his scoring bank account netted one in and pulled the Dynamo within one. Then once again our bearings were lost and a reckless tackle from Servando Carrasco got him sent off in the 27^th minute.

This ladies and gentlemen spelled our demise as just five minutes later RSL struck again. No, not Morales but RSL’s other faithful scorer Álvaro Saborío. Making it 3-1 RSL before the half, but things didn’t slow down there. In the 36^th minute the ref seemed to toss us a life line and called a Penalty Kick after David Horst was shoved down during a set piece. But Nick Rimando proved why he is arguably the greatest Goalkeeper in MLS and the solid third choice for Jürgen Klinsmann for this year’s World Cup by stopping Giles Barnes' attempt.

The halftime break gave us time to collect our composure and the team pulled together  a couple of set pieces and a great attempt from Kofi Sarkodie. We were showing signs of life and in the 56^th minute Sherrod got his second goal securing his brace for the evening. Things were looking up again, we pulled one back to make it 3-2! The team showed signs of life, we were playing well together; we had a new goal scorer up top besides Will Bruin! All was wonderful although still down a goal.

Then the inevitable happened to us being a man down in the 78^th minute and being down a man hit the team. Luke Mullholland who had the assist on the earlier Saborío goal put one in himself, with again Javier Morales stepping up and getting the assist. We were down 4-2, then in the 88^th minute Javier Morales (again) put the nail in our coffin folks. Completing his hat trick Morales converted a Penalty Kick thus ending the game for us. The Dynamo painfully fell 5-2, ending the RSL-Houston Curse of Real Salt Lake not being able to win in Houston.

This wasn’t an all bad evening though; Mark Sherrod stepped in and next manned up for an injured Will Bruin netting two goals in his starting debut and going the full 90. The future is bright for this man, he’s young, hungry, and has an amazing work ethic. Bruin hasn’t been re-signed yet and one has to wonder if Sherrod is the potential replacement if the front office doesn’t sign Brubear to a new contract?

In addition David Horst continues to shine for us by drawing the PK in the 36^th minute and working hard throughout the match. We still need some help in the back, Sarkodie and Horst can’t do it all so who do we draw from for support? This A.J. Cochran – David Horst combo doesn’t seem to be working and Jermaine Taylor is completely out of it this season for some reason.  What is the next move for Dom and our backline?

It’s only going to get more difficult for the Dynamo over the next couple of months. Boniek García will be gone on international duty. In addition we may also be losing Brad Davis, our fearless leader. Who is going to be the person to step up in their absence? In addition, right as the World Cup comes to a close the summer transfer window opens up. Do we use what funds we have to sign a marquee defender who can lead the backline? Or do we go for a striker to shore up the front line? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Till Saturday my friends!