Player Ratings: Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake

The winning streak was short lived as the Houston Dynamo after getting wins against the Chicago Fire and New York City FC fell on the road against Real Salt Lake. The Dynamo came out flat and were pressed by RSL right out of the gates which helped the home side get a first half goal. After starting the second half with a lull, the Dynamo were able to pick themselves up and tie the game up. The Dynamo wouldn’t go away and found a few chances to go up at Rio Tinto and following a big Joe Willis save on Joao Plata, RSL was granted a corner which Kyle Beckerman put away to seal the game.

The Top Performers:

Alberth Elis, Man of the Match, (7.4) – The Dynamo’s goal scorer, it’s no surprise to see Alberth Elis back as the Man of the Match as he’s now scored 4 goals in the last 3 games. Elis was the go-to player in the second half of the game and he just fought to get the Dynamo back in this game. His header to tie the game before Beckerman’s goal was perfectly placed.

Romell Quioto (7.2) – While Elis was the player the Dynamo were getting the ball to later in the second half, for most of the game Quioto was that player for most of the game. Quioto was very skilled at getting behind RSL’s back line and creating something out of nothing. His assist to Elis was placed pinpoint.

DaMarcus Beasley (7) – Behind Elis and Quioto the play drops off a bit, but DaMarcus Beasley did have a decent game. With most of the attention by RSL’s attackers focused on Adam Lundqvist and Jared Watts, Beasley did do a good job for the most part on his side of the field when the action was there as he collected a pair of tackles and intercepted the ball well. He also had a good run up the field with Quioto, but his final pass was lacking.

Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera (5.6) – Wilmer Cabrera was in a bit of a pickle with so many players missing in this one. He could have started Kevin Garcia (or in theory Andrew Wenger who was on the bench) at RB over the left footed Adam Lundqvist, but Garcia had struggled there prior to his injury. With no options he also went with Jared Watts at CB. RSL targeted this side of the field and it hurt early. I think Cabrera was unlucky with having so few players available, but the whole team really sat back and allowed RSL to press them which made it difficult for the forwards to get involved. The team fought back well, but once again they found a way to concede late which impacted the result. That issue needs to be addressed and Wilmer has to be the one to address it.

The Rest of the Starters:

GK: Joe Willis (6.8)

DEF: Leonardo (4.8)

DEF: Jared Watts (4.7)

DEF: Adam Lundqvist (4.2)

MID: Oscar Boniek García (6.2)

MID: Tomás Martínez (6.4)

MID: Eric Alexander (4.3)

FW: Mauro Manotas (5.8)

The Subs:

DEF: Kevin Garcia (6)

FW: Arturo Álvarez (5)

MID: Luis Gil (5.4)