Player Ratings: Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake

Last week’s game against Real Salt Lake can be summed up in a word: bizarre. The Houston Dynamo had been thoroughly outplayed, yet held the lead for most of the game. Then the Dynamo played well for a chunk of the second half, but failed to secure an insurance goal. And just as it looked like the Dynamo might snap their four game losing streak, they give up two goals in stoppage time as the team did what it usually does when it has the lead: they sit deeper and invite pressure on their goal and then they concede points.

The Top Performers:

Joe Willis, Man of the Match, (8.1) – It is back-to-back Man of the Match performances for Big Joe Willis who collected 7 huge saves. Last week against Columbus Crew SC, even though the Dynamo lost, Willis kept things close and the same was true against RSL. Salt Lake fired off 25 shots total and Willis kept things close.

Alejandro Fuenmayor (6.3) – Coming off a suspension, Fuenmayor looked fresh and smarter with his play. He was able to block three shots inside the box and was good at reading passes to pick off. He gave up the ball a few times where he shouldn’t have, but it was a good return for the Venezuelan.

Oscar Boniek García (6.2) – Boniek has not scored since the 2015 season and his goal against RSL was anything but a pretty goal. Well even the goals that aren’t pretty still count the same as a golazo. Boniek has quietly performed well as the supporting midfielder between the defensive center midfielder and the attacking center midfielder. He provides energy and pace along with vision. He has some defensive liabilities, but when he’s pressing opponents he’s at his best.

Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera (3.4) – The coach isn’t responsible for everything that happens in a game, but he is supposed to formulate a game plan and make sure his players are ready to play at the opening whistle. Cabrera’s players did not come out sharp and were not prepared for how effectively RSL broke them down. As the game went on the Dynamo would find their form, but towards the end the tactics were to sit back and defend a 1-0 lead which didn’t work. RSL would find the back of the net twice which saw 3 points flip the opposite direction.

The Rest of the Starters:

DEF: DaMarcus Beasley (5.5)

DEF: Philippe Senderos (5.6)

DEF: Andrew Wenger (5.3)

MID: Darwin Cerén (3.9)

MID: Tomás Martínez (4.9)

FW: Romell Quioto (5.4)

FW: Mauro Manotas (5)

FW: Memo Rodríguez (4.9)

The Subs:

FW: Ronaldo Peña (4.3)

DEF: Adolfo Machado (3.9)

MID: Arturo Álvarez (3.5)