The Houston Dynamo were hoping to find some momentum entering the World Cup break. Unfortunately for them, they have found the wrong kind of momentum, as the Dynamo lost their third consecutive game in falling to the LA Galaxy 4-1 on Saturday.
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Earlier in the week, the Dynamo spoke about scoring first against the Galaxy, but Houston conceded the first goal in the game’s opening minute. The team battled back in the first half to tie the match and make a game of it, at least for 45 minutes. In the second half, however, the Galaxy exploded. Perhaps more accurately, the Dynamo imploded and gave up three second-half goals.
“I think we were doing OK in the first half, and in the second half we ran out of gas,” said head coach Dominic Kinnear. “It’s disappointing. We are all disappointed, because this is a proud group. [We have] a lot of question marks about the way we are playing, how our guys are playing individually and collectively, so it’s a very disappointing time.”
The Dynamo were without Geoff Cameron and Mike Chabala to injury and Adrian Serioux and Luís Angel Landín were away from the team for personal matters. Throw in a midweek match, two previous heartbreaking losses, and cross-country travel, and the Dynamo seemed to run out of gas against the Galaxy in the second half.
“It was a tough game,” said midfielder Lovel Palmer. “The New York game was a tough one and then a long flight out here, so I think the guys are a little bit tired, but we can’t find excuses; we need to find ways to win games. It’s tough, but we are going to have to bounce back for the Colorado game [June 26].”
Houston’s defense has given up nine goals in its last three games. It would be unfair, though, to blame the defense for the team’s struggles on the night or of late. The entire squad has struggled from top to bottom. With the loss, Houston has dropped three consecutive games for only the second time in franchise history.
“There’s not much to say about that one,” said forward Brian Ching. “Disappointing. I can’t remember the last time this team lost three games in a row, so things aren’t going good. Tough week.”
The World Cup break could not come at a better time for the Dynamo. Houston will need to use the time off to try to fix some of the problems or the team’s playoff hopes will continue to fade. The club currently sits in fifth place in the Western Conference with two teams trailing them by only one point and with games in hand on the Dynamo.
“We just have to look ourselves in the mirror,” said midfielder Lovel Palmer. “[We need to] evaluate our performance and work on it as individuals and as a team. We have to refocus over the next couple of weeks.”
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
