Game Grades: Game One vs Houston
October 29th, 2007 . 2:43 pm . By: Peter WelptonOvercoming all negative expectations FC Dallas did, in fact, nab a goal and kept Houston off the board for a 1-0 win and the lead in this playoff series. It was a surprisingly spirited Hoops side that pressured the Dynamo all over the field and exploited the fact that Houston was missing Ricardo Clark. This was not an offensive match. Neither side ever really made a consistent threat on goal with only seven shots on frame – for both teams combined. In fact, between the four starting forwards – Ruiz, Cooper, Chung and Ngwenya – there was only two shots total! Morrow has found that the only way to solidify his defensive woes is to move to a 4-4-2 that features Serioux and Ricchetti in the center of midfield. While this does in fact provide that much needed defensive muscle, it all but dries up an already thirsty offense. Telling stat – FCD’s leaders in shots? Ricchetti and Goodson with two each. This formation pulls Toja out of the meat of the action, pushing him wide left. Playing out there waters down his effect on the game, and when he moves towards the middle Mullen finds a lot of room to push forward. With Alvarez out on the right its the same effect. To his credit he is working hard doing the defensive part of being a wide midfielder, but it does limit the number of times we get to see him cutting in and beating defenders. The good news is that Morrow’s intended effect certainly got results. Chung and Co were a decidedly non-factor all night long. The absence of Clark, replaced by Mulrooney, is a major factor into the Dynamo’s apparent discombobulation. FCD pressed the game out wide and worked hard to shut down the middle. Their game becomes sneaking a goal and that is exactly what they got with Serioux’s dangerous throw-in that became a free-for-all that Goodson won. Late in the match as Houston pressed Dallas began to panic on the ball opting to boot it anywhere away from goal rather than holding possession. It got very frustrating to watch as the team just continuously set the table for Houston to come back and try again. It almost paid off for Houston late when Chung got thur, but for Sala’s magical save. It’s not going to be pretty, but it is effective. If Morrow is successful in getting his side to keep that fighting spirit they certainly have proved this season they can get points on the road. Blanking Houston at PHP is a tremendous accomplishment, keeping even with them in Houston is a whole other universe. Houston is a wounded beast and Morrow looks to have found a way to best them. The other good news for Dallas? Houston is 1-1-1 in their last three at home. Grades:Sala: 7 – Stunning late save was world class, but he still looks far from healthy Subs: Dax: 5 – With team bunkering he was not able to help keep possession Abe: n/a 10 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
What noticable gaffes did Goodson have?
I would have given that backline and Sala all 8’s. In fact, I was relishing the idea of seeing Rhine get his first ever 9.
Yes, I know there’s still another “half” to be played, but few thought we’d be in this position heading into Houston. No offense, Peter, but you sound like you’re annoyed that your dire prediction (which I agreed with) about Saturday’s game didn’t come true.
Who’s “Chung”?
Can’t totally disagree, because there were some missed balls and not so hot passing, but WOW . . . it was GREAT to see such defense!
I know it’ll be harder in Houston, but like everyone else, I really didn’t expect them to look so strong against the Dynamo (Dynaless?).
The worst part is that FCD rekindled some hope. Hope is a very dangerous thing.
I read something by a red sox fan about when the sox went down 3-1 in the LCS. He said something to the effect of “because of 2004, I’m Angry and frustrated. If not for 2004, I would have be catatonic.”
It pretty much sums it up for me: until we actually win one, I fear hope.
A point of clarification please. A grade of 4 means that the player had a below average game?
“The worst part is that FCD rekindled some hope. Hope is a very dangerous thing.”
Oh, how true . . . now I’m trying to convince myself that it is just as hopeless as it was before (since they are now playing in Houston), so that the disappointment is not too great — but the thrill would be even better . . . not sure i’ts working, though.
Okay, guys, just play hard like you did this past Saturday! If you play hard, give it all you’ve got, then I’ll be happy with whatever the result is . . . I think.
Dang, this is torture!
If Houston wins the second leg 2:1, does that mean it goes to PKs, or does a goal scored away count more?
Peter you are a loser who deserves to write about losing teams, sorry the guys disappointed you this week. Wake up Dallas your team won a huge game drop the loser mentality.
The boys are in good spirit and if they can come out Friday the way they did Saturday i feel a draw coming our way.
Away goals do not count more.
Best case, we get a tie there.
Worst case (hopefully), we lose by one, and win in OT or PKs.
First, big props to Peter for using the word “discombobulation” in his column.
While I agree with most of the scores, I’m of 2 minds for Gbandi. Yes, the D did the job. But I was disappointed with Chris for most of the game. It seemed like every time he got the ball, his passes were either off the mark or too strong for his teammate to control, and FCD lost possession. And when he did make a “good” pass, it was to a teammate who was surrounded by 2-4 Houston players. I just didn’t like his passing decisions the entire game.
I guess I too picky about stuff like that.