Houston Dynamo Stumble Again on the Road as the Colorado Rapids Upset With a 2-1 Victory

Mathematically the Houston Dynamo’s chances of making a playoff appearance are dire at best, still hovering at 32 points with only 8 games left to reach the projected number of 50 points to qualify for the playoffs the Dynamo cannot afford to drop any points, our remaining schedule pits us against our local rivals in Dallas, our “big game” rivals in Sporting Kansas City and league leaders all around, picking up the desired points looks to be a herculean task.

Another late goal conceded by the Dynamo gave Colorado rapids a 2-1 win Wednesday night sending the Dynamo back home for a Saturday night clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps with only 1 point from their last three games.

The first half Colorado came out pressing the Dynamo, creating opportunities and seeming to pass through our midfield as though they weren’t there.
Colorado earned a corner in just the 2nd minute of play, it was whipped in beautifully but headed away by the Dynamo defense only to have it fall to Torres who hit a dipping ball that went just over the crossbar.

Brad Davis received a ball from Barnes 20 yards out in the 10th minute, took a few steps, and let loose a rocket on frame that had to be punched over the bar by Colorado keeper Irwin.

A questionable handball call in the box on Alex Lima, who was in at left back for Demarcus “Run DMB” Beasley, in the 19th minute set the Argentine Sanchez up against Dynamo keeper Tyler Deric who made no mistake as Sanchez powered it past for a Colorado 1-0 lead.

I must’ve watched that replay thirty times and I still have no idea what handball the ref saw.  The Dynamo were really unlucky with that one, I suppose that sentiment sums up the entire season thus far.

The Dynamo were able to make amends when Sturgis made a run forward, sending a lovely cross destined for Will Bruin’s head and a easy goal if not for Colorado defender Burling, who blatantly hit the ball with his outstretched hand denying a clear goal scoring opportunity receiving a Yellow card for his effort, arguably, it should have been a straight Red as he was the last defender yet, it seems the ref decided to be lenient, and Brad Davis finished the ensuing penalty kick going right up the middle past Irwin leveling the score at 1 apiece.

A dangerous free kick from about 30 yards that went over the bar by an ambitious effort from Dynamo captain Brad Davis concluded a bizarre first half.

The second half started the same as the first with Colorado on the front foot keeping the Dynamo pinned in their half unable to string more than two or three passes together before losing the ball having to run back to defensive positions; possession is key to winning on the road, as well as finishing chances, the Dynamo could do neither.

On the 79th minute Colorado hit the Dynamo with a dagger as Sean St.Ledger muscled off Alex Lima near the end-line hitting a bullet into the six-yard box connecting with Doyle who headed it into the net giving the Rapids a 2-1 advantage and securing all three points. Alex and Deric were both claiming the ball had crossed the end-line before St. Ledger had made that cross, I’ve watched the replay over and over and can’t conclusively tell either way, chalk it up to another bout of bad luck for the Dynamo.

Coyle tried to adjust putting Cubo, Montotas and Miranda in and switching to a more attacking 4-3-3 but it was too little too late and ineffective as the Rapids defensive efforts reduced the Dynamo’s chances to one shot on target that came from Center-Back David Horst in the dying minutes of the game.

Saturday, against the Vancouver Whitecaps, sees the Dynamo back home and this one couldn’t get any bigger. Coyle is going to need to get the tactics right for this one and the Dynamo are going to have to play with more intensity then we’ve seen over the last three fixtures, if not Vancouver is certainly able to take advantage.

The Dynamo’s signature playoff push has to start Saturday and I have faith that this team will get it together, I always am and always will be #ForeverOrange

Saturday August 29th

Houston Dynamo Vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

at BBVA Compass Stadium at 8pm CDT