Dynamo Theory - Match Day 27: Houston Dynamo vs Montreal Impact
You may all go to hell and I will support the Dynamo.
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2014-09-09T09:30:01-05:00
http://www.dynamotheory.com/rss/stream/5877300
2014-09-09T09:30:01-05:00
2014-09-09T09:30:01-05:00
Player Ratings: Houston Dynamo vs Montreal Impact
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Dynamo defeated the Montreal Impact 3-2 at home to win the series between the two. The Dynamo were down four of their usual starters, but their replacements were up to the challenge. The Dynamo never gave up, even after going down 2-1, and eventually won out. </p> <p></p>
<p><b>5 quick observations about this one:</b></p>
<p>1) CB problems - the heart of the Dynamo defensive woes? Horst and Cochran had trouble reading each other throughout the game and the culpability for the two goals allowed likely lies with them</p>
<p>2) Barnes and Cummings step up for the missing Bear. Both Barnes and Cummings did well to keep the Montreal defense on their heels all evening as Barnes nailed a brace and Cummings notched an assist and hit the crossbar on a shot of his own</p>
<p>3) DMB up the field helped fuel some of our offensive production, but hurt our defensive positioning, especially on the counter attack</p>
<p>4) The team never gave up, even after going down a goal</p>
<p>5) This was a huge and necessary win. While it still won't be easy to make the playoffs, this was a big 3 points that we couldn't afford to drop</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> Player Ratings:</b> <br> <br> <b><span>Tyler Deric</span> (5.5)</b> - Deric was called upon to start in goal for the injured Tally Hall. Deric was not tested often as Montreal only managed two shots on goal all game. Unfortunately, those shots went in as Montreal picked its chances carefully. Still, Deric managed to play aggressive as a keeper which did help minimize the number of chances on goal, and was not afraid to launch a long ball quickly to start the counter.</p>
<p><br> <b><span>Corey Ashe</span> (5.5)</b> - Ashe again got the starting nod, but this time he was standing in for the suspended <span>Kofi Sarkodie</span> at right back. Ashe was able to push himself into the offense often and cut back to his favored left foot to send in a dangerous ball. Defensively, Ashe was more than able to handle himself on the right side of the field as he managed to make several good stands to win the ball back for the Dynamo. Early into the game, and from time to time, he did show eagerness to drift centrally which opened the wide game up to Montreal which caused some trouble for the defense.</p>
<p><br> <b><span>David Horst</span> (4.5)</b> - Wreck-it-Horst (for better or for worse) managed to come up with a handful of key defensive stops and was a few inches away from heading in a very good <span>Brad Davis</span> ball. Most of the talking points about Horst in this game also involve his partner in central defense, A.J. Cochran. Communication between the two was clearly lacking and positioning mistakes between the two ended up costing the Dynamo two goals. On the first goal, Horst tried to contest Felipe's run and potential shot which left a wide open <span>Dilly Duka</span>.</p>
<p><br> <b>A.J. Cochran (3.5)</b> - The rookie Cochran was given the starting nod as <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> was sidelined with concussion symptoms. Cochran had some problems with his passing accuracy and had trouble finding his position as <span>DaMarcus Beasley</span> often played higher up the field resulting in 3 men in the back. On the 2<sup>nd</sup> goal, it was this poor spacing that allowed Ignacio Piatti enough room to make a brilliant run and goal.</p>
<p><br> <b>DaMarcus Beasley (6)</b> - As I mentioned, Beasley often pushed up the field in a defensive left midfield role which often left a shaky back without the veteran that it had missed for several games. However, Beasley performed well in that role as he rarely turned the ball over and allowed Brad Davis freedom to move inside and create chances for himself and others.</p>
<p><br> <b><span>Luis Garrido</span> (6.5) </b>- As Beasley often pushed up the field, Garrido stayed back to provide some cover. Garrido was not afraid to wrestle players off the ball and almost never turned the ball over when he had it. However, Garrido was hurt on the counter attack at times and was turned once or twice by some excellent footwork by the Montreal attackers.</p>
<p><br> <b><span>Ricardo Clark</span> (7)</b> - Clark played in a true box-to-box midfield role as he covered at least that much ground. Clark provided a number of excellent passes and was a huge part of the Dynamo offense. Apart from scoring the game winning goal, he also tried to catch Montreal napping after Tyler Deric played a long ball to Clark. Clark's performance on the defensive end dropped a bit as he was caught higher up the field. As a result, he didn't make the usual defensive stops or pass interceptions that he normally makes.</p>
<p><br> <b>Oscar Boniek Garcia (6)</b> -Boniek can probably dribble anyone out of their boots if he tried hard enough. He was able to make some dangerous passes after connecting with others, but one has to think that his effort was just not completely there. While Boniek played well in a number of areas of the game, his work rate is a little less than what we're used to from him.</p>
<p><br> <b>Brad Davis (7)</b> - Brad Davis once again provided an assist following a set piece opportunity, and this time it was the game winner to Ricardo Clark. Davis was active all over the offensive side of the ball. With DaMarcus Beasley drifting up the left side of the field, Davis moved centrally often to help pull the strings from there. Davis also tried to find the net himself, but found one of his opportunities blocked and the other he curled beautifully towards the far upper corner of the goal, but it wasn't curled quite enough to find the goal.</p>
<p><b><br> <span>Giles Barnes</span>, MotM, (8)</b> - Giles Barnes netted himself a brace on a day that he was missing his primary striking partner Will Bruin. Barnes took the striker role to heart and performed very well alongside the speedy <span>Omar Cummings</span>. Barnes's first goal came following a poor touch by Krzysztof Krol which kept Barnes onside. Barnes then beat his two defenders and the goalkeeper with speed and strength and opened up the scoring at BBVA Compass Stadium. His second goal came after Omar Cummings took on the defensive line and slotted a perfectly placed ball for Barnes to tap in.</p>
<p><br> <b>Omar Cummings (7)</b> - Cummings returned to the Dynamo lineup and started after missing the previous two games for personal reasons. Cummings didn't lose a step after missing time with the team as his pace, peskiness, and passing proved to be difficult for Montreal to handle. Cummings often made offensive opportunities out of stolen balls and he was able to create for himself and others exemplified by his assist to Barnes and his shot that rocked the crossbar.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>The Subs: </b><br> <b><br> <span>Brian Ownby</span> (5) </b>- Ownby came on for Omar Cummings and made a few good runs, but was often overlooked as a target.</p>
<p><b><span>Andrew Driver</span> (5) </b>- Driver came on for Brad Davis and though he made several promising runs and passes. However, some of his decisions with the ball were the 2<sup>nd</sup> best option rather than the best option as he decided to swing a ball in rather than play a simple ball to a streaking player on more than one occasion.</p>
<p><b><br> Coach Dominic Kinnear (6.5) </b>- Kinnear made the most out of his squad while being down his starting goalkeeper, a versatile starting defender, his starting RB, and his leading goal scorer. Fortunately, DaMarcus Beasley rejoined the team as did Omar Cumming which provided some defensive cover for the missing players and offensive firepower while Tyler Deric handled himself well enough in goal for Tally Hall. The defense for the Dynamo remains a weak point, but the Dynamo proved they can score goals without their leading goal scorer.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/9/6123485/player-ratings-houston-dynamo-vs-montreal-impact
Gribbs
2014-09-07T09:30:03-05:00
2014-09-07T09:30:03-05:00
Recap: Dynamo charge back to beat Montreal 3-2
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<img alt="Giles Barnes (23) scores against goalkeeper Evan Bush (30) " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JoC9pDfIWo2MQ3ICVVtWD3bQQ6w=/0x0:2039x1359/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38134412/TIS_4065.0.JPG" />
<figcaption>Giles Barnes (23) scores against goalkeeper Evan Bush (30) | <a href='www.bluecityphotography.com'>Trask Smith</a></figcaption>
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<p>Dynamo take initial lead, but had to come from behind after conceding two goals to Montreal to win 3-2</p> <p>It was hard to know what to expect before the game tonight because of several missing Dynamo players listed as out due to injury. <span>Will Bruin</span> and <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> were initially listed as questionable, but eventually ruled out due to injuries sustained in the drubbing of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> last week. <span>Tally Hall</span> is done for the year with a knee injury. Kofi Sarkoide sat tonight's match due to yellow card accumulation. What were we going to do? Fortunately, DaMarcus Beasley returned after missing two games due to a hamstring injury, and <span>Corey Ashe</span> would be moved to Kofi's spot on the right side.</p>
<p>With all of the substitutes filling in for the men in orange, the formation looked a little wonky, especially on the defensive side. The Dynamo were pushing Beasley higher on the left into effectively a midfield position and having Garrido drop deeper to help the back line.</p>
<p>The Dynamo opened the scoring in the 31st with <span>Giles Barnes</span> corralling a deflected pass from a potentially offside position. <img alt="Covznib" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4980902/CoVzNiB.png"> <br id="1410068575041"></p>
<p><a href="http://gfycat.com/OrnateAdoredGazelle" target="_blank">Giles turned the gifted opportunity into a silky smooth finish past the keeper for an early Dynamo lead.</a> I have chastised Barnes for taking too many shots with too few being on-target, and it was nice to see him for the third game in a row focus on getting more 'high-percentage' shots in the box. With Bruin out for an undetermined amount of time, I hope to see more of this from Barnes.</p>
<p>The Dynamo continued to threaten through the rest of the first half until <span>David Horst</span> decided to leave <span>Dilly Duka</span> unmarked just inside the box.</p>
<p><a href="http://gfycat.com/MildRegalHen" target="_blank">While Deric had excellent positioning, it wasn't enough to keep the ball out of the net, as Duka placed it perfectly just inside the left post.</a></p>
<p>The Dynamo team, full of several non-1st team choice starters, was looking very coherent on the backs of highly performing regulars <span>Brad Davis</span> and Giles Barnes. While Davis was positioned on the left side typically, he was his normal whirlwind of action carrying across the field in diagonals and pulling defenders out of position. You have to wonder where we will be after he retires.</p>
<p><a href="http://gfycat.com/CorruptZestyDolphin" target="_blank">Montreal came out in the second half looking even flatter than the first half, but managed to string together two passes that caught the Dynamo back line sleeping in the 54th minute that lead to their second goal.</a></p>
<p>The sinking feeling had returned. I still felt like we could win the game, but losing or even tying to Montreal at home was poison to the Dynamo's chances at making the playoffs and I was looking at a 2-1 Montreal scoreline at BBVA Compass Stadium. I felt significant queasiness and it wasn't from the delicious tacos I had at lunch from Tacos Tierra Caliente.</p>
<p><a href="http://gfycat.com/AshamedWelloffAlleycat" target="_blank">In the 61st minute, the Dynamo would pull the game back level with another Giles Barnes goal, except this one came from a great cross from Cummings and a terrible misstep by the Montreal defense.</a></p>
<p><a href="http://gfycat.com/SaneDefiantAndeancat" target="_blank">A tie wouldn't be good enough for the Dynamo, and Ricardo Clark would answer our orange-tinted prayers just four minutes later in the 65th minute with a goal off of a Brad Davis set piece.</a></p>
<p>That may sound familiar because all four of <span>Ricardo Clark's</span> goals in 2014 have come off of a Brad Davis set piece. I think four data points is providing enough of a reason for Brad Davis to keep kicking the ball at Ricardo Clark.</p>
<p>Montreal brought in <span>Jack McInerney</span> in the 73rd minute and while he threatened a few times, he was never able to control the ball enough to put together a shot on target. The Dynamo would dominate possession through the end of the half, and although the game had been blown open with three goals in an eleven minute span, the Dynamo were able to shut down Montreal for the remainder of the game.</p>
<p>So where do the Dynamo go from here? We have another home game next Saturday, September 13, against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.massivereport.com/">Columbus Crew</a>. While it's not mathematically impossible to make the playoffs with a loss to the Crew, the Dynamo need to consider all remaining home games as must win affairs. After the complete destruction in Columbus recently, hopefully the Dynamo can continue their improbable, but expected, push towards the playoffs for the eighth season in nine.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/7/6116603/dynamo-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-with-come-from-behind-3-2-win-against
Wilson Calvert
2014-09-06T18:41:21-05:00
2014-09-06T18:41:21-05:00
Dynamo vs Impact: Open thread, lineups, more
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<figcaption><a href='www.bluecityphotography.com'>Trask Smith</a></figcaption>
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<p>All the details and your place to talk about the game as the Dynamo take on the Impact. </p> <p><b>Basics</b></p>
<p>Houston Dynamo vs Montreal Impact</p>
<p>Saturday, September 6, 7:30 CT</p>
<p>BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, TX</p>
<p><b>Broadcast</b></p>
<p>CSN Houston (7 p.m. pregame)</p>
<p>Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 AM and 850 AM (Spanish)</p>
<p><b>Preview</b></p>
<p>The Houston Dynamo and Montréal Impact meet for the third time this season in a crucial match for both clubs' postseason ambitions when they face off Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium. Both teams find themselves below the red line in the Eastern Conference, the Dynamo five points behind fifth place and the final berth, and the Impact a further eight points back. Both teams are coming off wins, the Dynamo putting an end to their club-record losing skid with a 3-1 win at Sporting KC, while the Impact won a second successive home game, 2-0 vs. Columbus.</p>
<p><b>Lineups:</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>Tonight's starting swag: Deric; Ashe, Horst, Cochran, Beasley; García, Garrido, Clark, Davis ©; Barnes, Cummings <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HOUvMTL?src=hash">#HOUvMTL</a></p>— Dynamo Theory (@dynamotheory) <a href="https://twitter.com/dynamotheory/status/508398558291050496">September 6, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Starting XI partant <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IMFC?src=hash">#IMFC</a>: Bush; Krol, Lefèvre, Ferrari, Miller; Mallace, Felipe, Piatti, Duka, Romero; Di Vaio <a href="http://t.co/2u0ZwnEh3j">pic.twitter.com/2u0ZwnEh3j</a></p>— Impact de Montréal (@impactmontreal) <a href="https://twitter.com/impactmontreal/status/508397000556306432">September 6, 2014</a>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p> </p>
<p><b>REFEREE</b>: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Chris Strickland; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: Ismail Elfath MLS Career: 31 games; FC/gm: 25.7; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 6; pens: 10</p>
<p><b>SUSPENDED:</b> HOU: Kofi Sarkodie (caution accumulation; through Sept. 7) ... MTL: Hassoun Camara (through Sept. 7)</p>
<p><b> WARNINGS</b>:</p>
<p>SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: HOU: Ricardo Clark ... MTL: Karl Ouimette</p>
<p>SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: HOU: Will Bruin ... MTL: Hernan Bernardello, Matteo Ferrari, Felipe Martins, Andres Romero, Dilly Duka, Krzysztof Krol</p>
<p><b>Injury Report Presented by Houston Methodist (As of Thursday, Sept. 4)</b></p>
<p><br>Dynamo:<br> <br>OUT: Tony Cascio - R knee surgery; Mark Sherrod - L knee ACL tear; Tally Hall - R knee ACL tear; Will Bruin - R mid foot sprain; Jermaine Taylor - concussion <br> <br>QUESTIONABLE: None.<br> <br>Montreal:<br> <br>OUT: Adrian Lopez - knee injury</p>
<p><b>HEAD-TO-HEAD ALL-TIM</b>E (8 meetings): Dynamo 3 wins, 8 goals ... Impact 4 wins, 15 goals ... Ties 1 AT HOUSTON (4 meetings): Dynamo 3 wins, 6 goals ... Impact 0 wins, 1 goals ... Ties 1</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/6/6113169/houston-dynamo-vs-montreal-impact-confirmed-lineups-open-thread
Alicia Tolar
2014-09-06T11:30:02-05:00
2014-09-06T11:30:02-05:00
GAMEDAY: VIVE LE RESURGENCE.
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ql_tdsCSjtGz4mb3HFh6VaDwXqA=/80x0:3910x2553/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38084436/174579468.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
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<p>Alternately titled, MOMENTUM: USE IT OR LOSE IT.
</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-393d30be-498d-9b01-daaf-b999667f2eb5">After almost a month of must-win games, the Dynamo could be forgiven for wanting a weekend off. But after a gratifying 3-1 win in KC they return home to another must-win game, and this time it’s even must-winnier. The only team below them in the Eastern Conference table is in town, and if Houston is going to make one of their patented late-season playoff runs, these are three points the Dynamo can’t afford to let slip away.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Thanks to the win against pantomime villain Aurelian Collin and SKC, the Dynamo remain 100% not dead yet*. But the injuries suffered by Hall and Bruin, along with the suspension of Sarkodie have the potential to blunt any momentum that might have been built. That can’t happen.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>
<br> ROSTER CHALLENGES (WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF BODIES)<br>
</h4>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Since the game in KC (which we’ve dubbed the Bloodbath in the Breadbasket), most of the talk in Houston has been about Hall and his ruptured ACL, but he’s just one of Dom Kinnear’s many worries at the moment. He might not even be the most concerning - <span>Tyler Deric</span> is a capable stand-in and Hall hasn’t been at his best in a lot of games this season anyway.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">The bigger problem is the loss of Bruin. Without him in the lineup the Dynamo will have to find new ways to attack the goal. As much as Dynamo fans are wont to criticize Bruin for his lack of creativity and for having a first touch the deftness of which makes Khal Drogo look like a ballerina, there’s no denying that he’s the fulcrum of the offense. And whether it’s because of his hard work and good positioning, or because the opposing defense gives him a gift, or because God just likes <span>Will Bruin</span>, he finds the net. He’s our leading scorer, and the focal point going forward. Who plays in his place? Cummings? Johnson? Neither fills his role exactly.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Then there’s the question of what to do with the back line. Sarkodie is suspended after picking up a yellow for pushing <span>Benny Feilhaber</span>.** Taylor is out, too. Houston’s options at the back seemingly decline by the minute. One of either Ashe or DMB could switch over to the right side with Brunner filling in for Taylor. Or they could switch to three at the back. Either way, Houston is stuck shuffling around a defensive unit that already has issues.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">And because I’m what psychologists call "that annoying guy at the party who always has something negative to say," it should probably be noted that <span>Boniek Garcia</span> hasn’t been in top form since returning from the World Cup. It’s not exactly breaking news, but he looks leggy. While that’s totally understandable after his busy summer, if the playoffs are going to be in the cards, Garcia needs to find his feet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">The Dynamo have to replace at least 4 players tonight, one of whom is their leading scorer, another of whom is their fixture in the lineup goalkeeper, and one of their stars isn’t quite playing his best. I think that about covers it for the bad news.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">But at least there’s some good news: Beasley is available, Cummings, too, and the Dynamo are really good at home.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>
<br> THE IMPACT (NOT AS BAD AS THEY SEEM. NO, REALLY)<br>
</h4>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">As far as the Impact go, they’re coming of a 2-0 win at Columbus. That win doesn’t look so definitive when you find out that they had less possession, less shots, less shots on target, and less corners. Montreal right back <span>Hassoun Camara</span> is suspended for a studs up challenge against Higuain. He was also fined, the amount of which was agreed upon via blind envelope in keeping with the front office’s updated guidelines. As the league leader in yellows, it’s not exactly out of character for Camara, but they’ll miss him. His back up is <span>Eric Miller</span>, a person I’ve never heard of and who frankly sounds made up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Yes, Montreal is bottom of the conference, but they aren’t flat-out bad. Their new no. 10 Ignacio Piatta is magnificent. Since his arrival in August, they’ve won 3, tied 1 and lost 0. He scored a fantastic goal last weekend and he adds creativity, flair, and potency to their attack. That’s why some people call him the Montreal Messi.*** Or the Quebecoise Cruyff.**** Or Nacho Man Randy Savage.*****</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">His arrival also sort of coincides with an uptick in defensive form from the Impact. They’ve given up only 7 goals in the last 6.</p>
<p> </p>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">So while Montreal may have dug themselves into a hole too deep to climb out of this season, they seem to be hitting their stride and looking to put the pieces together for next year. And this is the MLS, where any team can beat any other team on any given day.******</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>
<br> JUST WIN<br>
</h4>
<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">This is not the gimme it looks like on paper, but this is the kind of game the Dynamo need to win - injuries, suspensions, tired legs and all. We’re at home with our backs against the wall against the worst team in the East. Only 5 points separate 4th place and the Dynamo in 9th place.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There are 9 chances left to make up ground. This is one Houston cannot miss.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4><br></h4>
<h5><b>A FEW OTHER NOTES THAT GET LESS AND LESS PERTINENT AS YOU GO DOWN:</b></h5>
<ul>
<li> The game is at 7:30. Set your VCR. </li>
<li> Houston and Montreal have played 9 times and the home team has never lost. Only 3 away goals have been scored. For the record, that’s one more goal than there have been red cards in the series. </li>
<li> Montreal hasn’t won a game away from home this season. </li>
<li> Neither team has a player in the top ten in goals this season. The highest on the charts is Bruin, at 12th. </li>
<li> The Dynamo scored two goals last weekend off of set pieces. They hadn’t scored off a set piece since early May. </li>
<li> Marco Di Viao has been playing well for Montreal lately. Since the World Cup the 38 year old (that’s like 97 in soccer years) has scored 7 and added an assist. </li>
<li> <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> goals for vs goals against in 2014: 28-46 </li>
<li> <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> goals for vs goals against in 2014: 27-45 </li>
<li> Those two numbers are skewed by the fact that Houston has been so woeful away from home. Nevertheless, it seems like less separates these two teams than many Dynamo fans would feel comfortable admitting. </li>
<li> It’s much harder to do opposition research on your opponent when all their fan blogs are in a foreign language. "L'Impact de Montréal bat le Crew de Columbus 2-0 grace à 2 buts d'Ignacio Piatti" you say? I’m just going to ignore you because this is America and I DON’T SPEAK CANADIAN. </li>
<li>I’m listening to Drake’s new song ‘0 to 100/the Catch Up’ and it seems thematically apt. Maybe give it a listen, maybe don’t. I guess it depends on your feelings about Drake. Personally, my feelings are confusing. I mean, I don’t like Drake. But I find myself liking his songs more often than makes sense. Like ‘Marvin’s Room’ is incredible, but on the other hand he’s from Canada. My feelings toward Drake are messy and they change from moment to moment and teasing them apart into any sort of unified takeaway would be a whole other essay for a whole other day. But if MLS teams got to draft an honorary rappers, it comforts me to know that Toronto would get Drake and Houston would get Bun B. </li>
</ul>
<h4 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><br></h4>
<h5 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><b>FOOTNOTES:</b></h5>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>*I wrote out a whole Monty Python scene with </span><span>Brad Davis</span><span> standing in for the dead body that’s not dead yet and Aurelian Collin playing the collector of dead bodies. But it got long. And convoluted. And needlessly complex. And really, there’s no improving on Monty Python.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span></span><span>**Worth it</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span></span><span>***Nobody calls him this.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span></span><span>****Nor this.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span></span><span>*****People may actually call him this, we have no evidence to the contrary.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span></span><span>******OK, maybe not Chivas.</span></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/6/6113401/gameday-vive-le-resurgence-houston-dynamo-vs-montreal-impact-mls
justinprichard
2014-09-06T09:30:02-05:00
2014-09-06T09:30:02-05:00
Three Questions with Mount Royal Soccer
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<figcaption>Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We asked Sofiane Benzaza over at Mount Royal Soccer three questions previewing the match from their point of view. </p> <p></p>
<p>The Dynamo will be back at home this Saturday to face off against the <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a>. The Dynamo are coming off a 3-1 win at Kansas City and are looking to string together some wins for a playoff push. The Dynamo won't have it easy as they'll be <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/2/6098371/dynamo-lose-some-players-to-injury-but-see-other-players-return">without a number of key players</a> including starting goalkeeper <span>Tally Hall</span> and scoring leader <span>Will Bruin</span> among others.</p>
<p>We talked with <a href="https://twitter.com/sofianebenzaza">Sofiane Benzaza</a> over at <a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Mount Royal Soccer</a> to gain some perspective ahead of the upcoming Eastern Conference clash.</p>
<p><b>Dynamo Theory: The Dynamo and the Impact have each exchanged 3 points with the other this year. The last match these two played ended with a 3-0 victory for Montreal at Stade Saputo at the end of June. What's changed for the Impact since that bludgeoning a few months ago?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Mount Royal Soccer:</b> The team has gone into yet another free-fall and lost 7 games in row. Any hopes to be part of a playoff are almost gone and the club was never able to take advantage of any positive momentum it had during the season. Sporting director Nick de Santis has been relieved of his duties but is still with the club and <span>Frank Klopas</span> has now full control of the recruitment.</p>
<p>Ignacio Piatti has finally joined the team as a Designated Player and has had a big impact already with 2 goals against the <a href="https://www.massivereport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Columbus Crew</a>. But outside of that, it has been a pretty bleak season.</p>
<p>Is it 2015 yet?</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>DT: </b><b>Both the Dynamo and the Impact share something in common: they give up too many goals. Actually, it's surprising how similar as both teams are tied for the 2<sup>nd</sup> worst goal differential in MLS. How are the Impact looking to improve this situation and is the coaching staff and front office thinking about this as an immediate issue or a down the road issue?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>MRS:</b> I am not really sure what the plan is. I sincerely do not see any moves that were made to make the defensive side of things better. The defenders are not that bad but not great and I don't believe in the Impact's midfield capacity to shutdown other teams on a regular basis.</p>
<p>The club needs to establish an identity on the pitch and start getting key pieces as early as possible during the off-season and make sure it gets the right piece.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>DT: If you haven't heard, the Dynamo recently lost starting goalkeeper Tally Hall to an ACL injury and defender <span>Kofi Sarkodie</span> will be serving his suspension for yellow card accumulation. Montreal is capable of getting goals from a lot of different players. Who in particular should the Dynamo be wary of and how can they shut them down with a new keeper and a makeshift (and relatively leaky) defense?</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>MRS</b>: With quite a few absentees with the Canadian National Team + suspensions/injuries, Ignacio Piatti continues to be the biggest threat out there. There is a strong offensive potential with Di Vaio and Duka playing with Piatti while <span>Andres Romero</span> should be the trigger man to create some magic on the wings.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Predicted lineup:</b> Bush - Miller, Ferrari, Lefevre, Krol - Felipe, Mallace - Romero, Duka, Piatti - Di Vaio</p>
<p><b>Score:</b> 3-1 Houston</p>
<p>For my answers to Sofiane's questions, head over to <a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Mount Royal Soccer</a> to check them out.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/6/6113117/behind-enemy-lines-three-questions-with-mount-royal-soccer
Gribbs
2014-09-05T09:30:03-05:00
2014-09-05T09:30:03-05:00
Dynamo Coaches Reshuffle Lineup Ahead of Montreal
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<figcaption>John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>New injuries plunder through a Dynamo squad but Kinnear & Co. look to keep the team steady toward the playoffs. With league-worst Montreal coming to town, can Houston cinch up three points?</p> <p>The hits keep coming. In a year that has seen <span>Tony Cascio</span>, <span>Mark Sherrod</span>, and <span>Tally Hall</span> end their seasons on ACL injuries, it isn't a stretch to say this is one of the most unforgiving years for the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a>. Heading into the final nine games of the year as the playoff window gets tighter, head coach Dom Kinnear delivered more bad news ahead of Saturday night's home match versus <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a>.</p>
<p>For a team that is already without <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/02/team-week-wk-25-new-dp-and-two-old-stalwarts-show-midfield-depth-mls">MLS Team of the Week defender</a> <span>Kofi Sarkodie</span> (yellow card suspension), they may be without <span>Jermaine Taylor</span>, <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/2/6098371/dynamo-lose-some-players-to-injury-but-see-other-players-return">who appears to have picked up a recent injury</a>, and is listed questionable along with <span>Will Bruin</span> (twisted ankle). [<i>EDIT: This has been </i><a href="https://twitter.com/DarrellLovell/status/507906462463451136">confirmed</a><i>. Taylor will be out with a concussion, Bruin with ankle</i>] <span>DaMarcus Beasley</span>, who has missed the previous two games with a hamstring strain, looks more likely to play but shouldn't be considered a lock just yet.</p>
<p>With all these injuries, that leaves the Dynamo trotting out a brand-new lineup at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday. Tyler Deric<a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/3/6099553/in-good-hands-tyler-deric-takes-over"> will be starting in goal </a>for the injured Hall, while the only certainty in the back appears to be David Horst. While it seems likely that Beasley will take the left back position, don't be surprised if <span>Corey Ashe</span> gets another nod. Aside from that, our only other listed defenders that might play are <span>Anthony Arena</span> and <span>AJ Cochran</span> (who found starting minutes during the World Cup).</p>
<p>On top, without Bruin, our forward options shrink as well. <span>Jason Johnson</span> and <span>Omar Cummings</span> appear to be the only selections remaining to take the Dancing Bear's spot. The coaching staff of the Dynamo have hard work ahead as they craft the roster and perhaps it's a silver lining that they get to do so at home against league-worst Montreal Impact.</p>
<p>The Impact travel to Houston for the final matchup of the year between the Eastern Conference opponents. Houston hosted Montreal in a 1-0 victory in March before flying to Canada for a 3-0 loss in June. Montreal sit in the only Eastern slot behind the Dynamo; 10th place with just 20 points. Assuredly, their season is over at this point but they have recently come into the role of spoilsport, toppling other Eastern teams like Columbus (2-0) and Chicago (1-0) in August.</p>
<p>Those two wins are their only since the 3-0 victory against the Dynamo on June 29th. Following that match, Montreal slummed through a 7-game losing streak that solidified their place in the standings. The Impact have yet to win on the road (all 5 season wins come at the Stade Saputo) and have a road goal differential (-16) that is better than only the Dynamo (-20).</p>
<p>Houston have improved heading into the match, posting 3 wins and 2 losses in their last six. This is still only good for 9th place, but the Dynamo remain tight in contention for the final playoff spots. After the midweek games on Wednesday night, Philadelphia joined a 3-way tie for 4th place in the East along with <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> and <a href="https://www.massivereport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Columbus Crew</a> (33 points). Should a few results go our way (NY losing at home, Chicago losing on the road at New England), the Dynamo could find themselves tied with New York for 6th, bringing the team closest to the playoffs in months.</p>
<p>To do this, they'll need to face adversity in the lineup and make a statement against Montreal. The Impact, plagued by a nightmare season, have done a bit of lineup shuffling of their own, though many view it was "too late" to make a difference. In August, Montreal signed Argentinian Ignacio Piatti to a DP contract and have seen a great rate of return. The 29-year old played his first full 90 minutes against Columbus last week and terrorized them with two goals and four shots, all of which were on-target.</p>
<p>"Nacho" Piatti's positioning at midfield opens up the attacking options for Montreal as Piatti can be deadly in the face of goal or also a playmaker, slotting a ball to <span>Marco Di Vaio</span> up top. This craftiness is something the Dynamo will need to contain and <span>Luis Garrido</span> should do well in the task. However, should something get past La Fiera, the makeshift backline of the Dynamo need to be on heightened alert. Deric will be most effective in his box and defenders a half-step behind the play will help dissolve Montreal's last barrier to the goal.</p>
<p>Impact's game versus Columbus also saw a very busy tandem effort from holding midfielders <span>Patrice Bernier</span> and <span>Felipe Martins</span> to restrict <span>Federico Higuain</span> to a quiet and frustrating night. The duo are effective at handling forwards but the Dynamo, with an intact midfield, may be able to overwhelm. The key here will be for the Dynamo to maintain midfield possession and break down Montreal's holding midfielders and defense. The bulk of Houston's talent sits in the middle of the pitch and it may prove too much for a team with a lack of confidence.</p>
<p>Lastly, Montreal have seen their own changes in goal, though by different circumstances. Impact goalkeeper <span>Troy Perkins</span>, after a long run of difficult matches, seems to have been replaced for the remainder of the year by 28-year old Evan Bush. Having seen 6 starts in the last 8 games (including the Impact's two recent wins), Bush seems to have grown more comfortable in goal and willing to be tested. Against recent opponents, however, he hasn't had to make many saves (certainly not in a 4-2 dismantling by <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> on August 23rd).</p>
<p>The Dynamo should have their chances against a team limping through the remainder of the year and this game should be as good as any to quickly adjust a new lineup for a result. However, as we saw during the World Cup break, the Dynamo's depth is wanting and can become a very big distraction if things don't go right from the whistle. This is one of the last games where we can still write our own destiny without desperately needing other teams' results to go a certain way and the fact is not lost on the players. With a bit of confidence, we may just see what the Dynamo are capable of in this final stretch of games.</p>
<p>The Dynamo take on Montreal Impact in BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday, September 6th at 7:30PM. Tickets are still available from <a href="http://www.houstondynamo.com/tickets">HoustonDynamo.com</a>.The broadcast can be seen on CSN-Houston.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/5/6106545/match-preview-dynamo-test-a-new-lineup-against-montreal
Justin Jerkins
2014-09-03T11:30:02-05:00
2014-09-03T11:30:02-05:00
In Good Hands? Tyler Deric Takes Over
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With Tally Hall missing the remainder of the 2014 season, Tyler Deric is thrust into the starting keeper role. As the Dynamo bear down on the playoffs, will he be a capable replacement?</p> <p>On the cusp of a necessarily grueling stretch to end 2014, the Dynamo were dealt news on Tuesday that knotted many fans' stomachs. Starting keeper <span>Tally Hall</span>, <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/1/6095035/houston-dynamo-pessimitic-about-tally-halls-knee-injury-mls">after attempting to play through an awkward landing that occurred in Kansas City,</a> will have to undergo ACL surgery at the end of the week, cutting his year short with two-thirds of the season gone.</p>
<p>Since taking over the starting keeper role in 2011, Hall has only missed the start in two other MLS matches including a coach-imposed mental health day versus <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> back in June. The absence of Hall is rarely felt by Dynamo fans and, that it comes right as do-or-die games get underway in the hunt for the playoffs, is disconcerting.</p>
<p>Hall has certainly had the most difficult season of his career, allowing a career-high 44 goals with ten less games than previous years. Though, it isn't hard to observe, many of those have been the result of mental lapses and miscues by the Dynamo defensive line. This much was apparent in the improbable 2-0 home loss to a 10-man Kansas City in June that saw <span>Tyler Deric</span> man the goal.</p>
<p>Following three consecutive losses, Dom Kinnear saw fit to mentally rest Tally Hall ahead of the World Cup break. This slotted Deric, playing his first minutes since 2013 Champions' League matches, into the starting keeper role. While that match took shape as a probable victory, SKC's lethal counter attacks and Houston's misfiring defense spoiled the Homegrown player's first MLS minutes since 2012.</p>
<p>That match, though many would be quick to try and forget it, is the lasting impression fans had of Deric as they read the diagnosis on Hall's knee. In truth, Deric is a capable goalkeeper -- one that Dynamo management are lucky to have as backup rather than starting on another leaky MLS defense. Most fans are used to seeing Deric in nearly all non-MLS competition including last year's Reserve league, US Open Cup, and CONCACAF Champions' League. In 2013, across those three competitions, Deric notched four clean sheets in 9 games. In matches that he lost, Deric was rarely the culprit, providing critical saves in the face of weaker backlines and aimless forwards unable to push the Dynamo ahead.</p>
<p>Moving forward, however, Deric will need to be more aware of overcoming weaker aspects of his game in the face of more difficult competition. During the home match against Kansas City, Deric found himself straying from the keeper's box on more than one occasion, needing to clear the ball and race back to his line. While the Dynamo defense did not help make for an easy game, it is exactly these gaps in communication that expose the goal and could prove as punishment to an unfocused line.</p>
<p>Certainly, this remains unfamiliar territory for Deric. With nine games remaining, that stretch of games will become the most consecutive first-team minutes that Deric has received thus far in his career. In addition, each game serves of critical importance for both teams trying to gain a foothold in the often-shifting Eastern Conference standings. Without the playing time of the now-defunct Reserve League, the early-exited US Open Cup, or the unqualified Champions' League, Deric hasn't seen many minutes in total this year.</p>
<p>Finally receiving those minutes in the most vital stretch of the Dynamo season against keyed-in opponents will be a tough task, but one that Deric should be primed for. Sitting behind Dynamo legend Pat Onstad from 2009 and Tally Hall since 2011 has given Deric a perfect position to study staunch and stubborn keepers that help push their team into the playoffs in the season's waning weeks. Having a reinforced defensive backline of <span>David Horst</span> and <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> (<a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/2/6096027/player-ratings-houston-dynamo-vs-sporting-kansas-city">who both impressed in Friday's match</a>), <span>Kofi Sarkodie</span> (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/09/02/team-week-wk-25-new-dp-and-two-old-stalwarts-show-midfield-depth-mls">who won MLS Team of the Week honors</a>), and <span>DaMarcus Beasley</span> with <span>Luis Garrido</span> should give Tyler Deric a vastly improved outlook than what he faced in the early summer.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/9/3/6099553/in-good-hands-tyler-deric-takes-over
Justin Jerkins