Last night the Dynamo played one of their most stylish, dominating games ever. They maintained possession and did so not just around the halfway line, but in the attacking half of the field for a vast majority of the game. They revived their Dominating Defense (© Dynamo). They displayed creative back-heels and passing combinations.
What didn't they do? Well, yeah. There's that scoring thing. They didn't do that, and it's probably going to come back to haunt them.
In the CONCACAF Champions Cup, a tie at home is like a loss. Saprissa left the field very happy (did you see their faces tonight?) and have only to score a goal at home to seal the deal to the final, and they proved against Atlante FC that they can score a goal and keep their opponent from doing the same.
So now we need to win the game in Saprissa. If we play like we did last night, we can definitely win. The problem is, we need Saprissa to play like they did last night, and they won't. They'll be more aggressive, more confident, and hungrier.
One might wonder "If we can't score a single goal at home when we're dominating possession, how can we score on the road when we're essentially chasing the game and on our heels." That's a relevant question, and it begs some follow up questions like "Will we get a solid shot on frame this season?" and "Can we cross the ball to the area beyond the goal keeper's reach?" and "Can DeRo keep his shots within the troposphere?"
As irritating as the result is, we should keep in mind that the Dynamo played well. They struggled in the attacking third, sure; unfortunately, they did that for long periods last year and the year before, and we knew the new striker corps would take some time to gel this season. Like all teams, we go through slumps, and this slump just happens to be early in the season. Unfortunately, it coincides with the CONCACAF competition.
Nevertheless, the team has quality and, best of all, it has a strong work ethic. It will strive to improve and, in the meantime, will fight its way through any slump until the good ju-ju returns.
In fact, this team works better when the chips are down. If they're playing a team with 10 players and an immature defense (e.g. Toronto in 2007), they can't score. If they're up by 2 goals in the semifinals of a major tournament (e.g. at Pachuca in 2007), they can't hold on. But if they're down a goal in a win-or-go-home scenario (e.g. MLS Cup Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final circa 2006, Puntarenas FC in CONCACAF Champions Cup 2007, and MLS Cup Quarterfinals and Finals of 2007) the Men In Orange thrive and come out on top. It may be that the best result last night is the one that happened: a draw. Now they're going to be counted out and dismissed as being only 90 minutes away from being more MLS roadkill on the international soccer highway.
History proves that this is when the Dynamo shine.
And next we meet our Costa Rican friends, we just may have an even better midfield if Holden and maybe even Davis and Mullan are able to play. Maybe by then Caraccio, who showed exciting glimpses last night, will have gelled better with Ching and DeRo and be able to work better with both. Eventually, I hope the three will become greater in tandem than even the sum of their already impressive individual skills. (I also hope that Chris Wondo rises to the opportunity that has been given to him; he has talent.)
Maybe the Dynamo will play in San Jose, Costa Rica, like they used to play in San Jose, California.
And maybe they'll even get a shot on frame.
But first, let's dispatch FC Dallas that the MLS has so conveniently placed between our two draining fixtures versus Saprissa. Sayeth Pope Don Garber I, "We hope you represent us well in CONCACAF. Now here are 4 games in a week and a half to prevent you from being rested and injury free."
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5 comments:
I think your seeing things through orange colored glasses. The reason the Dynamo looked so good last night is mostly because Saprissa was missing their best midfielder and becasue the purple monsters were playing for a draw. They won't play for a draw when they are at home. The Dynamo will essentially be facing a different team next week. I see us being eliminated 2-0, with the 2nd goal coming late as we desperately push forward.
We still need to beat Dallas though.
I for one haven't given up on the Orange. I see this as an opportunity to make history.
Chicago can put 4 goals on a new england defense when the Dynamo can't get any!
Dude, the Revs were down to 10 men against the Fire. I wouldn't put too much stock in that result.
Thanks for the comments, guys.
Sunday versus Dallas will be difficult because they have an entirely revamped team. We don't know what we will face with them this year. Hopefully we find our rhythm before they find theirs.
As for the Saprissa match, the cards are stacked against us, no doubt. But in order to be great, one must do great deeds. Here is the Dynamo's opportunity to do something great. The good news is they are capable of doing it, but that doesn't mean they WILL do it
Regarding the Chicago vs Revs, the Revs were down to 10 men, but Chicago at least got 1 goal on the full complement of Revs before the sending off. Time will tell whether we just had an off game vs the Revs or if we have serious issues that need to be corrected.
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