Dynamo Theory - Matchday 7: Houston Dynamo vs Toronto FCYou may all go to hell and I will support the Dynamo.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48763/dynamotheory-fave.png2013-04-25T10:38:06-05:00http://www.dynamotheory.com/rss/stream/40051232013-04-25T10:38:06-05:002013-04-25T10:38:06-05:00Panic Button: Post Mortem Borealis
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<p>The Dynamo fought back to salvage a draw in Toronto last Saturday. Should supporters be concerned over how they got the point?</p> <p>We can exhale now, at least a bit. If you were holding your breath waiting for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> to get a point on the road, you can take a few deep breaths and tell us all how you didn't die from not breathing for seven weeks. If you're holding your breath waiting for the Dynamo to pick up a win on the road, don't worry, I've already called the coroner, because it'll be a few weeks before the Dynamo play another road match - and fair warning: if you're still alive then, you might be treated as a zombie.</p>
<p>But enough with the jokes. Saturday afternoon, the Dynamo accomplished at least one part of the mission - they went into BMO Field and came out with a draw against a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> side that by all accounts should have been able to preserve the full three points at home.</p>
<p>All the stars seemed to align for yet another disappointing Dynamo loss away from BBVA Compass Stadium. The weather was far from comfortable - hovering close to freezing with light snowfall in the early minutes of play. Swirling, gusting winds played havoc with any long ball or cross played in. <span>Adam Moffat</span> injured his hamstring and had to be subbed off in the 41<sup>st</sup> minute. <span>Brad Davis</span> injured his groin and was subbed off after the half.</p>
<p>In the 58<sup>th</sup> minute, Toronto midfielder Jeremy Hall threw off the pursuit of <span>Luiz Camargo</span> and shot into the lower corner of the goal to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. There's really nothing else that can be said - it was a fine strike from distance, through traffic, placed perfectly - realistically, the only chance anyone had to stop it was lost when Camargo was beat.</p>
<p>By this point, things had gotten bad. They had a little more than a half hour to play, and yet the Dynamo had already lost two midfielders to injuries, had to burn to early substitutions, and were once more down on the road. This was about the time people thought it couldn't possibly get any worse, right?</p>
<p>Wrong. Four minutes after the Toronto goal, defender <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> and Toronto striker <span>Robert Earnshaw</span> are racing towards a ball when Earnshaw drops and referee Drew Fischer wastes no time showing Taylor a red card. Replays show clearly that while there is contact between the two - what appears to be a hand to the side of the head - there was nothing that really warranted Earnshaw's drop to the pitch, clutching his face. Watching the match, it's clear that there were several times where Earnshaw goes to ground perhaps too easily, and in this case, he manages to get exactly what he was hoping for.</p>
<p>About this time, most every Dynamo fan watching the match is having violent flashbacks to the Portland match, where a decent first half was wasted by an abysmal second half. And yet somehow, that didn't happen. Did Toronto have chances to put the game out of reach? Most definitely - both before and after their loan goal. But except for <span>Jeremy Hall's</span> shot, they all met their match - usually <span>Tally Hall</span>, but in the case of one memorable chance from Earnshaw, the crossbar got in its fair share of defense.</p>
<p>So what was different, I wonder? Two and a half weeks ago, an injury-deprived Dynamo side fell flat on their face against Portland. They got behind, and never really gave themselves a chance to right the ship. That match finished 2-0 to Portland, but in all honesty, it probably should've been a lot more lopsided. Granted, my opinion on this is based solely on what I was able to catch (just the second half, and only the radio broadcast), but what I did catch was not very pleasant.</p>
<p>Still recovering from the injury that kept him out of the Portland match, Oscar Boniek Garcia didn't see time against Toronto (and would later say that he'd have been surprised had he been able to go more than five minutes or so), though he had improved enough to travel and dress as part of the eighteen. Davis, who missed the Portland match, started in Toronto, but he left after the first half, and didn't seem very effective while he was there - and while his replacement, Camarago, had some good stretches of play, he didn't impress much in his first substantial action of the season. Moffat played the full Portland match, but his injury Saturday afternoon meant that <span>Warren Creavalle</span> would have to come on and play in an unfamiliar position.</p>
<p>Shortly after Taylor saw red, <span>Dominic Kinnear</span> was forced to burn his final substitution in order to restore the backline to four men, with <span>Giles Barnes</span> leaving to make room for <span>Eric Brunner</span>. All in all, by the 65<sup>th</sup> minute, whatever semblance of formation and gameplan had been thrown out the window in favor of trying to keep the score as close as the possibly could.</p>
<p>And somewhat surprisingly, it worked. Creavalle proved that he can play at least passably well wherever you put him, and though Camargo's defense isn't what it once was, he didn't make any mistakes after Jeremy Hall burned him. Eric Brunner was thrust into a match situation that was pretty much FUBAR, and yet he too rose to the occasion, pairing up very well with <span>Bobby Boswell</span> for the 26 minutes the two were together.</p>
<p>Fast forward almost half an hour. Three minutes and change into four minutes of stoppage time. Though Toronto has had plenty of chances, the score is still only 1-0 to the home side. And what's more, it's the Dynamo who have done much of the pressuring in the last twenty minutes or so. They haven't given up, and they have this one last chance - a corner, not off the foot of the esteemed Davis but off of Andrew Driver. Driver's cross is rerouted by <span>Ricardo Clark</span> and finally nudged in by Creavalle - giving the Dynamo an equalizer when few really expected one to come.</p>
<p>As a fan, I was always hopeful. I knew the possibility was there, even without Davis there to deliver the ball. The Dynamo have always been a side that made a living off of set pieces, and any time they get one, you're conditioned to believe "Maybe. Just maybe, this is the one." And yet when this turned out to be the one we'd all waited for, I was stunned by it.</p>
<p>This was a Dynamo side who had lost two starters to injuries and another to ejection. Down a man and completely shifted around, they nonetheless played some of the best twenty or thirty minutes of road play I've seen this season. Where in previous weeks the Dynamo had shrunk back, they rose to the occasion. Driver - who had originally started on the right side in place of Boniek - shifted to the left side and still performed well. Yet Driver was only part of a makeshift midfield - along with Creavalle, Clark, and Camargo - that while perhaps lacking in individual brilliance, worked together to ensure that the entire match was not spent simply defending against Toronto's attack.</p>
<p>What made the difference? Was it the sight of two of the starters going down to injury? Indignation over what was perceived as a wrongly issued red card? Disgust at the side's road form to that point in the season? We may never know, yet something lit a fire under this Dynamo side and kept them pressing and fighting until the end - ultimately ensuring a much-needed point away from home.</p>
<p>I've seen it expressed in various places that supporters hope that road points don't depend on the Dynamo drawing fuel from ejections and injuries - and I completely agree. I would definitely prefer that they find a way to get points on the road with a full compliment of healthy players. It's better for the health of the squad, it's better for the disciplinary status of the squad, and it's most definitely better for the blood pressures of the supporters.</p>
<p>All of that being said, I'm not going to disdain the result and the point that came with it. We've been waiting for this side to show us how good they are. Yes, we know they can win at home, but can they do it on the road? Can they win when the odds are stacked against them? Can the play through adversity to get results when a result isn't expected? We have our answer, finally. They can. And because of that, you shouldn't panic over how the point was won. Good sides win or get draws where they're not expected to, and that's exactly what the Dynamo did Saturday afternoon. Was it pretty? No. But it's a point, and in the table, it's the points that count - not how you get them.</p>
<p>Put that orange panic button away for now, and let's move on to this weekend's match. The Dynamo got through one hurdle last weekend - let's wait fr them to clear the others when they get there.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/25/4263292/prematurely-pressing-the-panic-button-post-mortem-borealisRichard Willis2013-04-23T07:00:08-05:002013-04-23T07:00:08-05:00Dynamo vs Toronto FC: Player Ratings
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<p>The Houston Dynamo equalized late for a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC despite being down a man. Late game heroics by Warren Creavalle earned the hard fought road point, and strong performances by the defense kept Toronto from scoring more than 1 goal. Here are your Dynamo Player Ratings:</p> <p><b>Houston Dynamo Player Ratings:</b> <br><br><b>Tally Hall, MotM (8)</b> - Tally Hall defended the net against 16 attempts on goal. Hall was composed, vocal, and kept the defense aware of what was around them. The lone goal that leaked through was placed with such precision that Hall had no way of getting to it. Hall made the kind of saves against that kept the Dynamo in the game and helped them earn a point in a place that the Dynamo have not found much success in. Oh, and the post provided some cover as well - again. <br><br><b>Kofi Sarkodie (6.5)</b> - The defense overall was very good at absorbing a lot of dangerous counters, long balls, and containing Robert Earnshaw. Sarkodie's passing game continues to improve. His aerial game is also improving, as he won more than a few headers that TFC was lobbing in.<br><br><b>Bobby Boswell (7)</b> - Boswell anchored the Dynamo backline and helped keep a dangerous Toronto offense from breaking through more than once. Boswell won 50-50 balls stopping some counters, won headers, and provided stability at the back. <br><br><b>Jermaine Taylor (6)</b> - Was it a red? The Jamaican was playing well at the back winning headers and providing defensive cover for the Dynamo, until he got locked into a footrace with Robert Earnshaw who went down after Taylor made contact with him. This changed the Dynamo, and should have changed TFC tactically. Fans can debate about the call, but the center official saw it and judged it red and it will probably stand.<br><br><b>Corey Ashe (7)</b> - Ashe was tearing up plays with his speed. He blocked numerous shots, and even made one incredible highlight reel tackle before halftime. He intercepted passes, and distributed the ball well from the back.<br><br><b>Brad Davis (6) </b>- Davis was limited to only 45 minutes due to a minor injury. He provided some dangerous chances early, but had to spend a lot of his time on the defensive side of the ball.<br><br><b>Adam Moffat (6)</b> - Moffat went off just before halftime with an injury, but played very well. His central midfield partner, Ricardo Clark, wasn't playing as far forward as he has in the past and this helped Moffat shut the center of the field down. Most of the offense TFC ran came through long balls over the top, and counters through the wings. <br><br><b>Ricardo Clark (7)</b> - Clark was the man of the match for the first half. He made key tackles in the center of the field, and was the closest Dynamo player to scoring before Warren Creavalle's late game heroics. Clark was re-familiarized with his usual Defensive Center Midfield position after Davis went off with his injury and Luiz Camargo came on and he played it well. He defended deep, made tackles, and disrupted some of TFC's ball movement. <br><br><b>Andrew Driver (7.5)</b> - Driver filled in again for Oscar Boniek Garcia at the Right Midfield position and for the first half he moved well getting into the offense, running at defenders with his deceptive speed, and played well on the defensive side of the ball. The second half, Driver slotted over to the Left Midfield spot due to Brad Davis's injury, and he did well there. He embodies the "don't quit" attitude that helped us secure a point at BMO Field. <br><b><br> Giles Barnes (6)</b> - The Englishman had a very quiet day. He was active early, but was forced into helping the defense. Whether it was a lack of service, or energy due to frigid temperatures, Barnes was not his usual animated, aggressive self.<br><br><b>Will Bruin (6)</b> - Don't feed the bear must have been on the Dynamo's minds, because Bruin did not have much service. Bruin had to fight for every ball that he got, but in the end he disappeared and, like Barnes, had to put more time into defensive efforts.<br><br><b>The Subs: </b><br><b><br> Warren Creavalle (7) </b>- Free Warren! Creavalle came on for Adam Moffat just before the first half ended and started in the DCM role Moffat was playing, but was moved out to RM after Davis's injury before the start of the second half. Creavalle's late game goal was crucial, and for many Dynamo fans, justice. The way the Dynamo played towards the end of the game, a goal seemed likely, though Warren decided to wait until the last minute of stoppage time to leave his impact on the game. Boswell picking him up after the goal was priceless. <b><br><br> Luiz Camargo (5.5) </b>- Camargo came on for Brad Davis at the start of the second half, and with that came a huge midfield change that left Camargo in the CAM slot and Ricardo Clark at the DCM slot. Camargo never got the chance to be the creator that he once was, but he did show moments of flash, nice little one-two passes mostly. Camargo, like everyone had to spend time defending, which is no longer one of Camargo's stronger suits, and he ended up fouling too many times for comfort. <br><br><b>Eric Brunner (6.5)</b> - Eric Brunner came on for Giles Barnes after Jermaine Taylor was red carded. Brunner did well to adjust to the tempo of being down a man, and partnered very well with Bobby Boswell.<br><b><br> Dominic Kinnear (6.5)</b> - All things considered, this was a very good game by the Dynamo. Kinnear adjusted to two key players being injured very well, and showed his defense can absorb a lot of abuse. His never quit fighting style of play, led to a great result considering his team went down a man with a half hour of play left. However, our road problems continue, and the Dynamo have still only won in Canada once. Some things need to start clicking faster outside of our BBVA Compass Fortress (Stadium).</p>
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https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/23/4250712/dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-player-ratingsGribbs2013-04-21T11:23:00-05:002013-04-21T11:23:00-05:00VIDEO ROOM: Dynamo 1, Toronto 1
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<p>In a fairly one sided match, Toronto FC were moments away from a home win, but a last minute set piece doomed the Reds. Warren Creavalle headed in the game tying goal in the final 30 seconds of the game to give Houston a road point.</p> <p>Surely, this feels like a road win for everyone (in Houston of course). <span>Warren Creavalle's</span> last minute goal gave the Dynamo their first road point on the road and kept them near the top of the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p>Enjoy the full match highlights (above) and some other highlights from the match below. </p>
<p>I must add that Jeremy Hall's strike was an extremely nice goal. Credit to him for patiently bring the ball down, losing his defender, and nailing a shot from outside the box. </p>
<h4>Here is Hall's goal by itself:</h4>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dlHywk6PRZs" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1366561271183"></p>
<h4>Here is Creavalle's stunner:</h4>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2sA5lQRbxTk" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1366561253361"></p>
<h4>Here's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> coach <span>Ryan Nelsen</span> talking to the press post match:</h4>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L4H32Bu_aBY" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1366561228354"></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/21/4249018/video-room-dynamo-vs-toronto-highlightsOrdinary Orange Fan2013-04-21T09:47:36-05:002013-04-21T09:47:36-05:00RECAP: Dynamo 1, Toronto 1
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<figcaption>John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dynamo have a knack for scoring late goals, but Warren Creavalle's stoppage time header was on another level. Creavalle scored a header in the final 30 seconds of the match to help the Dynamo escape with their first road point of the year. </p> <p>The Houston Dynamo have a knack for late match goals. After Saturday afternoon's match, they have set a new standard for the dramatic. With just seconds left in stoppage time, Warren Creavalle headed in a shot that salvaged a valuable road point for the Dynamo.</p>
<p>Toronto surely is beating themselves up after poor defensive marking on what likely was the final play of the match. Ricardo Clark was able to head the ball in the direction of Creavalle, who simply angled the ball perfectly to the top of the net.</p>
<p>The Reds opening the scoring in the 58th minute on a beautiful strike from Jeremy Hall. Hall shook Luiz Camargo near the top of the box and sent in a laser past Tally Hall to give Toronto the lead.</p>
<p>The outcome of match really was a poor indicator of the actual play on the field. Toronto controlled most of the match and came close to adding to the scoreline on several occasions. The Dynamo struggled with poor form for much of the match, but losing three starters in a short span surely contributed to that.</p>
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<a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/18/4241082/houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-matchday-7">
<h2>Dynamo vs Toronto: Full Coverage</h2>
<img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11772027/20130414_tjg_at5_960.0_cinema_1050.0.jpg"></a>The Dynamo will travel to BMO Field to face off against Toronto FC on Saturday looking for their first road win of the season. Toronto won't go down easily as they are coming off three straight draws and looking to pick up a win.</div>
<p>In the 41st minute, midfielder Adam Moffat left the match with an apparent hamstring injury and was replaced by Creavalle. When the clubs came out of the tunnel for the second half, Brad Davis was unexpectedly replaced by Luiz Camargo in midfield. Finally, in the 62nd minute, defender Jermaine Taylor was sent off for a foul against Robert Earnshaw.</p>
<p>With two key starters leaving the match to injury early and playing with a man down for the final 30 minutes, the Dynamo have to be pleased to escape with a point.</p>
<p>With the draw, the Dynamo (4-2-1) remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with 13 points. Toronto (1-2-4) sit in seventh position in the East with seven points. The match was their fourth straight draw.</p>
<p>Next up for Houston is an April 28 meeting with the Colorado Rapids (2-4-2, 8 points) at BBVA Compass Stadium.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/21/4248634/toronto-fc-vs-houston-dynamo-recap-creavalle-goalOrdinary Orange Fan2013-04-20T14:00:06-05:002013-04-20T14:00:06-05:00Dynamo vs Toronto FC: Live Gamethread
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Dynamo travel to BMO Field looking for their first road win in 2013. Toronto FC is coming off of three straight draws and won't be an easy opponent. Join Dynamo Theory and its readers for our live gamethread with all the match action. </p> <p> </p>
<p><strong>THE BASICS</strong><br><a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> at <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a><br>Saturday, April 20, 3 p.m. CT<br>BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario, Canada</p>
<p><strong>BROADCAST INFORMATION</strong><br>KPRC Local 2 - 3 p.m. (2:30 pregame)<br>Yahoo! 1560 AM - 3 p.m. (2:30 pregame)<br>La Ranchera 850 - 3 p.m. (2:30 pregame)</p>
<p><strong>REFEREES </strong><br>Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Joe Fletcher; AR2 (opposite): Claudio Badea; 4th: Mathieu Bourdeau MLS Career: 10 games; FC/gm: 26.9; Y/gm: 2.5; R: 0; pens: 4</p>
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<a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/18/4241082/houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-matchday-7">
<h2>Dynamo vs Toronto: Full Coverage</h2>
<img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11772027/20130414_tjg_at5_960.0_cinema_1050.0.jpg"></a>The Dynamo will travel to BMO Field to face off against Toronto FC on Saturday looking for their first road win of the season. Toronto won't go down easily as they are coming off three straight draws and looking to pick up a win.</div>
<p><strong>INJURY REPORT</strong></p>
<p>HOUSTON DYNAMO -- OUT: <span>Calen Carr</span> - Left knee; <span>Tyler Deric</span> - Left ankle sprain; QUESTIONABLE: <span>Boniek Garcia</span> - Left Achilles tendonitis</p>
<p><strong>HEAD-TO-HEAD</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>ALL-TIME (13 meetings): Toronto FC 3 wins, 13 goals ... Dynamo 4 wins, 19 goals ... Ties 6 AT TORONTO (6 meetings): Toronto FC 2 wins, 6 goals ... Dynamo 1 win, 6 goals ... Ties 3</li>
<li>RETURN MATCH: 6/22: Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC, 8 p.m. CT</li>
<li>LAST YEAR (MLS):</li>
<li>6/20: HOU 3, TOR 3 (Boswell 20; Bruin 73, 90 - J. Hall 13; Koevermans 22, 45) 7/28: TOR 0, HOU 2 (Carr 45; Ching 86)</li>
<li>8/25: HOU 1, TOR 1 (Bruin 21 - Dunfield 85)</li>
<li>The Dynamo have a four-game undefeated streak alive vs. Toronto FC, winning once with a pair of draws - both at BBVA Compass Stadium - a season ago.</li>
<li>The Dynamo win at BMO Field last July 28, a 2-0 victory, was the club's first ever on the shores of Lake Ontario. TFC had won two of the first five meetings there, with three draws.</li>
<li>Coaches record: <span>Ryan Nelsen</span> vs. HOU: first game ... <span>Dominic Kinnear</span> v TOR: P13 W4 L3 D6</li>
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<h4>PREGAME READING:</h4>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/19/4240236/toronto-fc-vs-houston-dynamo-preview" target="_blank">Match Preview: Dynamo vs Toronto FC</a>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/18/4239324/houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-odds-and-ends" target="_blank">Dynamo Travel to BMO Field Looking for Road Points</a>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/19/4244272/toronto-fc-vs-dynamo-behind-enemy-lines" target="_blank">Behind Enemy Lines: Talking with Waking the Red</a>
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<strong>More</strong>: <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/videos/2013/4/19/4241442/houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-this-week" target="_blank">Video: Dynamo TV Preview of Toronto Match</a>
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<h4>STARTING LINEUPS:</h4>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Starting XI; Hall; Sarkodie, Boswell, Taylor, Ashe; Driver, Moffat, Clark, Davis (C); Barnes, Bruin. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23TORvHOU">#TORvHOU</a></p>&mdash; Dynamo Theory (@dynamotheory) <a href="https://twitter.com/dynamotheory/status/325687536628400129">April 20, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Substitutes: Marscheider, Brunner, Creavalle, Camargo, Garcia, Johnson, Ching. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23TORvHOU">#TORvHOU</a></p>&mdash; Dynamo Theory (@dynamotheory) <a href="https://twitter.com/dynamotheory/status/325687632887705601">April 20, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/20/4245000/toronto-fc-vs-houston-dynamo-live-gamethreadOrdinary Orange Fan2013-04-19T19:41:09-05:002013-04-19T19:41:09-05:00Toronto FC vs Dynamo: Behind Enemy Lines
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As part of the buildup to Saturday's match, I caught up and traded questions with Toronto FC blogger Duncan Fletcher. Look inside to find his thoughts on their coach, the roster and other things.</p> <p>It's that time of the week again. This time, I got to trade e-mails with Duncan Fletcher, editor of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a> blog <a href="http://www.wakingthered.com/" target="_blank">Waking the Red</a>. His questions to me can be viewed <a href="http://www.wakingthered.com/2013/4/19/4240404/toronto-fc-houston-dynamo-april-20th-preview-how-you-doin" target="_blank">here</a>, and of course, his answers are below.</p>
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<p><b>1. I've watched some of TFC's play this season, and I can't help but be impressed with the changes I've seen from last season. How much forward progress do you think was made over the offseason?</b></p>
<p>It's not so much about the forward progress as it was the backwards progress, in the sense of taking a step back to be able to take steps forward in the future. Bringing in Kevin Payne is a definite step forward, though there are certainly some who have their doubts about him, but most of the big moves he's made have been ones to undo the damage of previous years. <span>Paul Mariner</span> was released, and a couple of big contracts in <span>Eric Hassli</span> and <span>Torsten Frings</span> are now off the books, with little in return other than cap relief. A lot of the new signings were brought in on loan to maintain flexibility, and allocation money was raked in at the draft. Doing that rather than just using the first overall pick, as well as by hiring a rookie coach with no coaching badges in <span>Ryan Nelsen</span>, were big gambles by Payne, really putting his stamp on the club. Ryan Nelsen talks a lot of building a foundation, mainly in reference to his so far unambitious style of play, and that's where TFC are right now, trying to get things right so they can build further and make some more notable forward progress.</p>
<p><b>2. In terms of player-coach relations, how much of a difference was made by hiring Ryan Nelson right out of QPR instead of an older man with more coaching experience?</b></p>
<p>It's an interesting question really, and Nelsen's lack of experience or coaching badges (as well as him still being a QPR player for an unspecified amount of time) were certainly cause for concern at the time of his hiring. Payne has experience with this sort of thing having hired <span>Ben Olsen</span> at DC, and the fact that Nelsen was starring in the EPL just a few months ago has got to have a certain cache in a dressing room. That may be a deliberate choice from Payne, bringing in a freshly retired player to offset the fact that he has no playing experience himself, which may not endear him to some players. Will it work? Who knows really, in a way it's a tough job, but expectations are low which could be a good thing for a rookie coach, he'll get plenty of leeway and time to learn on the job. So far though, you certainly get the impression that the players have a lot of respect for Nelsen and seem very keen to buy into what he's selling.</p>
<p><b>3. There are a lot of new faces in that roster. Who do you think will end up having the greatest impact on the team this season?</b></p>
<p>Of the faces currently on the roster, there's two that stand out. <span>Joe Bendik</span> has been a revelation in net, taking advantage of <span>Stefan Frei's</span> broken nose to get the starting spot he's deservedly kept since. He was by far the man of the match last week in Philadelphia and though his kicking could be improved, he's been a very pleasant surprise.</p>
<p>At the other end of the pitch, there's <span>Robert Earnshaw</span>. After he scored twice in the home opener, a post game conversation brought the question 'in a full season, ho many do you think he'd score?' I guessed 9, as I was skeptical he'd keep it going. I was wrong. He's played at a high level and it shows. His ability to read the game and speed to be able to exploit that mean he's opportunistic enough to be able to create chances for himself, a good thing as the midfielders and team as a whole haven't been great at creating much of anything. When he does get a chance, he's a very impressive finisher. Given a full season, I'd now be guessing at 15-20 goals from him.</p>
<p>Hopefully the person who'll have the greatest impact is To Be Announced. There's a lot of flexibility to be bringing in new players and there's been talk of Hondurans and young DP's from Argentina, so ideally someone better than what we currently have comes along.</p>
<p><b>4. What's your predicted formation (first and last names, please)?</b></p>
<p>I have little confidence in most of this, but I'll guess at the following. Joe Bendik: <span>Doneil Henry</span>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/players/149734/gale-agbossoumonde">Gale Agbossoumonde</a>, <span>Darren O'Dea</span>, <span>Ryan Richter</span>; <span>Jeremy Hall</span>, <span>Luis Silva</span>, <span>Hogan Ephraim</span>, <span>Reggie Lambe</span>; <span>Justin Braun</span>, Robert Earnshaw.</p>
<p>---</p>
<p>I'd like to thank Duncan for answering my questions in a quick manner - and point out that the lateness of this post is due to my schedule, not his. If you get a chance, please follow him on <a href="https://twitter.com/DuncanDFletcher" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, read their blog, and show a little of that famous Houston hospitality, regardless of Saturday's result.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/19/4244272/toronto-fc-vs-dynamo-behind-enemy-linesRichard Willis2013-04-19T15:04:43-05:002013-04-19T15:04:43-05:00MLS Week 8: Schedule and TV Listings
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<p>Keep up with all the Major League Soccer action you can handle. Dynamo Theory brings you the full schedule of matches in Week 8 and TV listings so you don't miss a thing.</p> <p> </p>
<p>There is plenty of action headed your way in Major League Soccer this week. Action kicks off on Saturday when the Houston Dynamo hit BMO Field looking for their first road win of the year. </p>
<p>The night cap on Saturday will pit defending champions LA Galaxy against Eastern Conference powerhouse Sporting Kansas City on NBC Sports Network. Both of Sunday's matches will be nationally televised. DC United vs Philadelphia Union match will be on ESPN2, while the Earthquakes visiting Portland will be aired on UniMas.</p>
<p>Here are this week's matches and TV listings (all times are Central Standard Time). The home team is listed first for each game.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
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<td valign="top" colspan="3" width="686">
<p><b>Saturday, April 20, 2013</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="85">
<p><b>Time</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p><b>Teams</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p><b>National TV</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>3:00pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>Toronto FC vs Houston Dynamo</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick, TSN, <i>KPRC Local 2 (Houston local)</i></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>5:00pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>Colorado Rapids vs Seattle Sounders</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick</p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>6:00pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>New York RB vs New England</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>7:30pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>7:30pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>FC Dallas vs Vancouver Whitecaps</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick</p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>8:00pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>Real Salt Lake vs Chivas USA</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, MLS Direct Kick</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="85">
<p>9:30pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="372">
<p>LA Galaxy vs Sporting Kansas City</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>MLS Live, NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
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<td valign="top" colspan="3" width="686">
<p><b>Sunday, April 21, 2013</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
<p><b>Time</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="366">
<p><b>Teams</b></p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p><b>TV Station</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
<p>4:00pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="366">
<p>DC United vs Philadelphia Union</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>ESPN Deportes, ESPN2, MLS Live</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="91">
<p>10:00pm</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="366">
<p>San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers</p>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="229">
<p>UniMas, MLS Live, Univision Deportes</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/19/4243498/mls-week-8-schedule-tv-listingsOrdinary Orange Fan2013-04-19T08:30:03-05:002013-04-19T08:30:03-05:00PREVIEW: Dynamo vs Toronto FC
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>They may be the undisputed holders of the league record with 35 straight home unbeaten matches, but the Dynamo have yet to translate that success to points on the road. Will a trip to Toronto change that?</p> <p>So the talk can start again. Last Sunday afternoon, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> rode an assist and a goal from <span>Brad Davis</span> to defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> 2-1 and extend their home unbeaten streak to a record-breaking 35 matches in all competitions (record-tying 29<sup>th</sup> in the regular season). This Saturday, the Dynamo will once again try to take their winning ways on the road - this time north of the border for a clash with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>.</p>
<p>The road woes are well documented. We all talk about them, we all speculate about them, and we all want to see them end. For my part, I'm getting tired of documenting them, but some of it has to be reiterated. The Dynamo's last result on the road came in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Finals last season (a 1-1 draw) - but you have to look back to a September 14<sup>th</sup> match in Kansas City for their last regular season away result. Go back to the month before (August 22<sup>nd</sup>, against C.D. FAS in the CONCACAF Champions League) and you'll see their last road victory - and you have to go a month further back (July 28<sup>th</sup>) to find the last time the Dynamo won an MLS match on the road.</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/18/4241082/houston-dynamo-vs-toronto-fc-matchday-7">
<h2>Dynamo vs Toronto Full Coverage</h2>
<img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11772027/20130414_tjg_at5_960.0_cinema_1050.0.jpg"></a>The Dynamo will travel to BMO Field to face off against Toronto FC on Saturday looking for their first road win of the season. Toronto won't go down easily as they are coming off three straight draws and looking to pick up a win.</div>
<p>Their opponent in that match was the same Toronto side that they'll be facing this weekend. Last season, Toronto was pretty much the punching bag of the Eastern Conference - though surprisingly grabbing two points in two matches at BBVA Compass - and if I say that they've improved since then, it won't be saying much. But they have improved. Keeper <span>Joe Bendik</span>, though a back up, has performed well in starts this season, and <span>Luis Silva</span>, <span>Robert Earnshaw</span> and others have ensured that Toronto's offense is no longer as offensive as it was most of last season.</p>
<p>The Dynamo have yet to get a point on the road this season, and there are several reasons. The defense seems to be much more mistake prone on the road, and that's played a role in most - if not all - of the goals they've given up on the road. Coach <span>Dominic Kinnear</span> offered another reason in an interview with The Blitz, Houston sports radio program, on Wednesday afternoon: the Dynamo aren't getting near as many chances on the road as they are at home. That's to be expected, honestly, but perhaps not to the disparity that we've seen so far. In three road matches over all competitions, the Dynamo have scored two goals - both in the second half against Dallas. No goals in TorreĆ³n, no goals in Portland - something that has to change quickly.</p>
<p>The Dynamo looked much better with striker <span>Will Bruin</span> back last weekend, but as of now, the status of midfielder <span>Boniek Garcia</span> is unknown, though he did return to training on Thursday. Andrew Driver has looked good in Boniek's place, but the unique contribution that Honduran designated player brings to the Dynamo has been missing - and once we get that back, I think the chances will start to come. As for the other major injury, <span>Omar Cummings</span> still has yet to start a match in the Dynamo XI, and Kinnear told The Blitz that it was simply "a matter of time" before the Jamaican striker was ready to go.</p>
<p>While the home streak is nice, I don't think that alone is going to carry us very far this season. They need to start picking up points away from home, and Toronto is as good a place as any other to start. It's not going to be easy (no such thing as a given three points, after all), but with dates in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. looming on the horizon, now would be a very good time to shake off whatever has been plaguing the Dynamo on the road. The hosts of The Blitz, A.J. Hoffman and Fred Faour, quipped that they saw Dom Kinnear taking his coaches to task in a Portland restaurant the weekend before last. Dynamo fans are hoping that he doesn't have to do the same in a Toronto eatery come Saturday night.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2013/4/19/4240236/toronto-fc-vs-houston-dynamo-previewRichard Willis