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Houston Lament Lost Chances, DC Laud Determination
It was the slimmest of victories, but DC United displayed grit in holding on for the full points while a man down.
Apr 5, 2009 2:23:49 AM
In a matchup between a pair of traditional Major League Soccer powers who struggled through the
first two games of the season, D.C. United was able to hold onto an one-goal
lead after striker Jamie Moreno was sent off with twenty minutes left.
Both teams went into the game hungry for a victory, as they were winless after two games each. United had managed two points from their first two games, while Houston had just one point, after a draw against the Columbus Crew, and a loss against the San Jose Earthquakes. But neither team came out with the determination that would be expected of two teams that had been off to slow starts in the season.
With striker Brian Ching back from international duty for Houston, the Dyanmo were able to call upon another weapon that they had missed in last week's loss to San Jose. In turn, D.C. started a third different striker alongside Emilio this season, with Ange N'Silu getting the call from Soehn this week.
After a first half failed to produce many chances for either side, the teams displayed more energy in the second. And shortly after the start of the second half, United took the lead.
"We came out with a little more life, and obviously scoring early in the second half was a direct effect of that" said D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn, noting the goal scored in the 47th minute by striker Luciano Emilio.
United were then pushed back by Dyanmo, as Houston drove forward, looking to immediately find an equalizer. On several occasions, from both crosses and shots, Houston forced United keeper Louis Crayton into action. Crayton, who was making his first appearance on the season, played his part in keeping Houston at bay.
"With (Kei) Kamara, they started dumping in the long balls, but the entire team worked together" said Crayton. The DC back line combined for United's first shutout of the season.
John Spencer had to take the reigns for the game from Houston manager Dominic Kinnear, after Kinnear was forced to sit in the stands this week, after being sent off during Houston's loss to San Jose after the game. Spencer made the call to substitute Ching in the Dynamo's final push to equalize. After the game, Spencer said that the substitution of Ching was something that was not planned, but eventually, was down to the fitness of Ching.
"Obviously, he's played lot of games recently for the U.S. national team, and a lot of travel, and we have to look at the guys, and make sure energy wise, they've got decent levels, and we just felt he was a little bit jaded", said Spencer.
Shortly after taking Ching off, Houston were had a man advantage, as substitute Jamie Moreno was sent off in the 71st minute. For the final twenty minutes, the Dynamo players were able to pile the pressure on United, looking for the equalizing goal.
With Christian Gomez already subbed off, and Ben Olsen off in the 79th minute, United looked to some of their youngsters to hold on for the victory.
"They did a lot of work; we put Chris (Pontius) inside, just to get more legs in there, and he covered a lot of ground. But overall, all these little tests make you a better team along the way" stated Soehn, as rookies Pontius and Rodney Wallace again both put in full 90 minute efforts for United.
Their efforts, along with the rest of the team's performance, especially after going down a man allowed United to walk away with the full points in the game.
As for Moreno's red card, Soehn said, "I probably would not have played many games in my career, if that is already a red", showing his disagreement with referee Baldomero Toledo's decision to send off Moreno in the 71 minute of the game.
After the game, Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden reflected upon another lost opportunity for Houston, as they have now gone three games in the MLS season with just one point, from a draw with the Columbus Crew. "We are not taking our chances at the moment, and that is coming back to bite us" said Holden, after Houston's second successive defeat.
Spencer added that Houston needed "to try to just win games. It's as simple as that."
Steven Streff, Goal.com
Both teams went into the game hungry for a victory, as they were winless after two games each. United had managed two points from their first two games, while Houston had just one point, after a draw against the Columbus Crew, and a loss against the San Jose Earthquakes. But neither team came out with the determination that would be expected of two teams that had been off to slow starts in the season.
With striker Brian Ching back from international duty for Houston, the Dyanmo were able to call upon another weapon that they had missed in last week's loss to San Jose. In turn, D.C. started a third different striker alongside Emilio this season, with Ange N'Silu getting the call from Soehn this week.
After a first half failed to produce many chances for either side, the teams displayed more energy in the second. And shortly after the start of the second half, United took the lead.
"We came out with a little more life, and obviously scoring early in the second half was a direct effect of that" said D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn, noting the goal scored in the 47th minute by striker Luciano Emilio.
United were then pushed back by Dyanmo, as Houston drove forward, looking to immediately find an equalizer. On several occasions, from both crosses and shots, Houston forced United keeper Louis Crayton into action. Crayton, who was making his first appearance on the season, played his part in keeping Houston at bay.
"With (Kei) Kamara, they started dumping in the long balls, but the entire team worked together" said Crayton. The DC back line combined for United's first shutout of the season.
John Spencer had to take the reigns for the game from Houston manager Dominic Kinnear, after Kinnear was forced to sit in the stands this week, after being sent off during Houston's loss to San Jose after the game. Spencer made the call to substitute Ching in the Dynamo's final push to equalize. After the game, Spencer said that the substitution of Ching was something that was not planned, but eventually, was down to the fitness of Ching.
"Obviously, he's played lot of games recently for the U.S. national team, and a lot of travel, and we have to look at the guys, and make sure energy wise, they've got decent levels, and we just felt he was a little bit jaded", said Spencer.
Shortly after taking Ching off, Houston were had a man advantage, as substitute Jamie Moreno was sent off in the 71st minute. For the final twenty minutes, the Dynamo players were able to pile the pressure on United, looking for the equalizing goal.
With Christian Gomez already subbed off, and Ben Olsen off in the 79th minute, United looked to some of their youngsters to hold on for the victory.
"They did a lot of work; we put Chris (Pontius) inside, just to get more legs in there, and he covered a lot of ground. But overall, all these little tests make you a better team along the way" stated Soehn, as rookies Pontius and Rodney Wallace again both put in full 90 minute efforts for United.
Their efforts, along with the rest of the team's performance, especially after going down a man allowed United to walk away with the full points in the game.
As for Moreno's red card, Soehn said, "I probably would not have played many games in my career, if that is already a red", showing his disagreement with referee Baldomero Toledo's decision to send off Moreno in the 71 minute of the game.
After the game, Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden reflected upon another lost opportunity for Houston, as they have now gone three games in the MLS season with just one point, from a draw with the Columbus Crew. "We are not taking our chances at the moment, and that is coming back to bite us" said Holden, after Houston's second successive defeat.
Spencer added that Houston needed "to try to just win games. It's as simple as that."
Steven Streff, Goal.com
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