SuperLiga-Beaten by the Bimbos

They're back! After a one-game respite, the 2008 Dynamo returned in full force. The two telling traits were there for all to see:
1. Solid defense except for a costly moment of confusion
2. Chances aplenty up front but no goals

That's the 2008 Dynamo, love 'em or leave 'em. And in a season of unpleasant firsts, we added a new one: losing in an international competition at home for the first time.

The 1-0 loss to Chivas-Guadalajara answered the questions I posed earlier:

Was the domination of Atlante a fluke?
Probably. The fact that Atlante beat DC United handily does suggest that we didn't beat a pansy team. And the fact that we were missing so many starters does make it hard to say we couldn't beat Chivas-Bimbo with the lineup that beat Atlante, particularly since we were oh-so-close with the lineup we threw together. But in the absence of a different result, we have to say at this point that it was a fluke. We need some more data points (positive ones, A.K.A "victories") if we want to say that this side can be consistently good. Can you provide us with some more positive data points this year, dear Dynamo?

Can the Dynamo be creative and effective without DeRo?
Not really. Especially not when Holden is gone too.

We will be missing some regulars; Who will step up tonight?
No one. Try back again this weekend and we'll see what we can do for you.

Will Houstonians go to a game that begins at 9PM on a weeknight?
Apparently yes. But they won't necessarily be rooting for the Dynamo. Good crowd though.

Will the field still be crappy?
Ugh, yes.

This game was a "a microcosm of the Dynamo's 2008 season."

In all fairness, the Dynamo were missing four key starters (DeRo, Holden, Ching, and ERob) plus a fifth usual starter (Mulrooney, who is a very useful journeyman, but his lack of specialization means he's not an essential cog in the Orange Machine). That wasn't our A-Team that was out there, although they looked like our A-Team often does, given that they maintained some solid possession, demonstrated an indefatigable work rate, and clung to those two nasty traits I mentioned at the beginning of this blog. This patched-up team, but for a lousy 5 seconds, earned themselves a draw. But 5 bad seconds can kill you in this game.

The team also had three or so point blank shots that were saved by Luis Michel, the Chivas keeper. Good goalkeeping. Dreadful finishing.

Needing only a tie to get into the semifinals, the Dynamo took their usual rocky road and are essentially forced to win this weekend versus DC at DC. That's not an easy task. We then need to beat them on July 22 to help our MLS standings. (We could move on to the semis if we tie DCU and Chivas-Bimbo beats or ties Atlante, but we want a victory. Two of them. Both in DC.)

Another tough road ahead. That's the 2008 Dynamo for you.

PS: Check out Lark's blog. Good summary of the game, recap of the atmosphere, and analysis of Caraccio.