Dynamo/Dash Delivery: Houston Dash provide their own fireworks in a 2-0 win

Houston Dash

The Houston Dash provided a few of their own fireworks in a 2-0 win over the OL Reign, celebrating the 4th of July in grand style. Newcomer Shea Groom provided the spark with a goal and an assist in the win.

It was Groom’s nifty back heel pass to an onrushing Kristie Mewis that put Houston on the board in the 12th minute of the game. Groom then flew through the box unmarked to head home a Rachel Daly service in the 54th minute.

Head coach James Clarkson could not have drawn a gameplan up any better and he had his team more mentally prepared just four days after relinquishing a two goal lead in the final eight minutes of regulation.

“We came into this tournament and this year wanting to make a statement,” said Groom following the match. “The Dash is something to be reckoned with in this league. Part of that is coming out and keeping our foot on the gas pedal the entire time. We did that today.”

Houston was picked to finish last prior to the season being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now 1-0-1 after two games and has scored the most goals of any team in the tournament. Daly and Groom each have two goals and an assist in the team’s first two games.

Houston’s next match is July 8th against Sky Blue FC at 9:00 PM CT.

Houston Dynamo

We got some more information this week from Dynamo General Manager Matt Jordan regarding the Jurgen Damm move to Atlanta United.

So, why did the Dynamo pass? Jordan joined the Soccer Matters Podcast with host Glenn Davis and was asked exactly that, saying that while the club tracked Damm for a long time and strongly considered signing him, they ultimately decided that he wasn’t quite the right fit.

“We’ve been tracking Jurgen Damm for a while and seriously looked at his situation and really when we went through it as a technical staff, myself, Tab [Ramos], the coaching staff, we just felt it wasn’t the right fit,” Jordan told Davis. ”Anytime you’re looking at a player, there’s a lot that goes into it. It’s not like, ‘Ok, hey, let’s just add this player tomorrow.’ You’re going through positional profiles, you’re going through [key performance indicators] with your scouting department, you’re watching a player live and making sure they’re a good fit.

Hopefully, this will not become a move that comes back to haunt the Houston Dynamo like, say Chris Wondolowski.

The Dynamo are scheduled to open the MLS is Back Tournament on July 13 at 7:00 PM CT against LAFC.