Player Ratings Houston Dynamo vs. the LA Galaxy

The Houston Dynamo showed a lot of improvement in their latest performance on the road. After a midweek matchup in US Open Cup where the Dynamo finally won away from Houston against North Carolina FC, the Dynamo made their way to Carson, California to face the LA Galaxy. Clearly the win in Carolina gave the team confidence, even though no players that played in LA were in the game at Carolina. The quickness of the counters and the support for the offense all showed up and the game was open for the Dynamo to get their first 3 points in league play. Romell Quioto rejoined the starters and he looked good although he, along with Alex, had to be subbed off at halftime so we’re hoping they were taken off for precautionary reasons. The Dynamo were unlucky to get the win as LA’s equalizer in the 4^th minute of stoppage time (out of 6) looked clearly offside.

Personnel wise, most players stepped up in big ways. Ricardo Clark passed the ball with nearly 90% accuracy which is very good for a midfielder, our forwards were active shot takers and were also creating for each other, Leonardo had some big crunching tackles, and Adolfo Machado and Juan David Cabezas were both good at picking out passes.

The Top Performers:

Mauro Manotas, Man of the Match, (7.8) – From the opening whistle Mauro looked ready to get behind LA’s defense. His runs were very impressive, although his service needed some work as he often over hit some of his crosses – something he’ll need to improve if he continues to be deployed on the wing. His goal, which opened up the scoring in this game, highlights his instincts. After DaMarcus Beasley’s long range bomb is parried away, it falls to Manotas who got back onside and in between his defenders and then he finished it with ease.

SUB: Alberth Elis (7.7) – While Romell Quioto had a solid first half, it wasn’t quite the half Alberth Elis had who came on for Quioto at halftime. Elis always finds another gear with his speed and he torched LA defenders. If Manotas’s goal showed why it’s important for midfielders and defenders to get involved in the attack, then Elis’s goal showed us why we need to play the counter attack quickly. Elis found his space, and it wasn’t hard because he hadn’t tracked back very far when LA had possession, and then when the Dynamo took the ball, he was off to the races. Boniek played him in and he chipped the keeper in what should have been the game winner.

SUB: Oscar Boniek Garcia (6.8) – Boniek was an artist with his passing in this game. He almost never turned the ball over passing with over 93% passing accuracy – although he did have fewer touches only playing a single half, but it’s still impressive. The pass to Elis was sublime. I don’t even know if he looked up to see Elis, he may have, but he knew where he would be. A well weighted pass is easily headed on by Elis who can continue his quick run at goal.

Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera (6.9) – This was probably the best the Dynamo have done on the road because it was the closest iteration of what we see at home. The game was open, the tempo was fast, and it should have been 3 points, but a road point after a performance like that is still encouraging. It wasn’t perfect as the Dynamo eased up to open the second half for the first 10 minutes or so, but they were able to correct that and play their way again. They also gave up a silly goal, but that goal is actually the kind they can give up if they play their brand. It will happen time to time, and they were able to get one back. Unfortunately an offside goal by LA leveled things, but it is what it is. Take this as a positive and continue to press and attack on the road because we will get some wins that way.

The Rest of the Starters:

GK: Tyler Deric (5.5)

DEF: DaMarucs Beasley (6.4)

DEF: Leonardo (6.5)

DEF: Adolfo Machado (6.6)

DEF: A. J. DeLaGarza (6.7)

MID: Alex Lima (6.3)

MID: Juan David Cabezas (6.7)

MID: Ricardo Clark (6.6)

FW: Romell Quioto (6.8)

FW: Erick “Cubo” Torres (5.9)

The Subs:

DEF: Dylan Remick (6.4)