With the Dynamo set to begin the 2013 season in just 9 days – against D.C. United at BBVA Compass Stadium on March 2 – we are counting down to kickoff with a Dynamo-centric countdown to Opening Day. See the bottom of this post for the complete countdown list.
Each day, we’ll post a description of what makes the number significant. If you have any comments on the subjects, post them in the comment section below.
Today, we continue with #9:
Heading into a Sunday night meeting with D.C. United on July 15, 2012, the Dynamo needed to make a statement on the field. After consecutive scoreless draws against Sporting Kansas City and Chicago, the Dynamo stood at 6-5-7 on the season entering a crucial three-game homestand against Eastern Conference contenders. The homestand was ultra-rare: Three games in seven days, against D.C. United (second place), Sporting Kansas City (first place) and Montreal (defeated the Dynamo 4-2 on June 23).
With the team in need of results on the field, the front office made a bold statement away from it, declaring "3 Games, 7 days, 9 Points" as the homestand mantra. The Dynamo backed up the bold proclamation, securing three wins and a rare nine point week.
Houston opened the week with a 4-0 drubbing of D.C. United, capitalizing after the visitors lost goalkeeper Bill Hamid to a red card when he took down Macoumba Kandji in the penalty area. Four players - Brad Davis, Will Bruin, Boniek Garcia and Brian Ching - each scored as the Dynamo set the tone for a big week with their most lopsided win of the season.
Three days later, the Dynamo met Sporting Kansas City for the second time in 11 days. The clubs had played to a 0-0 draw on July 7, with a game time temperature of 105 degrees in Kansas. The rematch, in Houston, turned on a red card to Sporting KC midfielder Peterson Joseph moments before halftime. His reckless challenge on Calen Carr left Sporting KC with ten men for the second half, and the Dynamo won 2-1 behind Carr's two-goal performance.
With two wins in the bag, a third seemed very possible with the Impact coming to town. After beating the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in a four day span, the expansion club from Quebec seemed like an easier assignment. Macoumba Kandji delivered an early lead in the seventh minute, and late goals from Bobby Boswell and Kandji's second of the night sealed a 3-0 win.
The mission was complete. The Dynamo had accomplished a nine-point homestand in resounding fashion, outscoring opponents 9-1. In a season full of memories in the first year at BBVA Compass Stadium, the week of July 15-21 stands among the best.
Return to the blog on Friday for number 8 on our countdown to Opening Day.
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Complete Countdown to Opening Day List:
#10 - Boniek Garcia improved Dynamo's goal difference by +10 after arrival
#11 - Dynamo set another club record with 11 home wins in 2012
#12 - Tally Hall sets club record with 12 shutouts in 2012
#13 - 13 different goal scorers in 2012
#14 - Dynamo win 14 regular season games in 2012
#15 - Brad Davis' career goals and assists vs. D.C. United
#16 - Will Bruin sets franchise record with 16 goals in all competitions
#17 - Dynamo scored 17 goals in final 15 minutes of games in 2012
#18 - Dynamo have lost just 18 MLS home games in seven years
#19 - Dynamo finish 2012 with franchise best +19 home goal differential
#20 - Brad Davis' combined goals and assists in 2011 and 2012
