HOUSTON -- The Houston Dynamo attack went missing in action on Saturday night, as their nil-nil draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps extended their goalless streak to four games, including US Open Cup play.
Saturday’s draw, however, was not for a lack of effort.
The Dynamo lined up in a 4-4-2 with Will Bruin and Erick "Cubo" Torres getting the start at forward. The last time Houston played a 4-4-2 was in 2015 -- oddly enough, Bruin and Torres were the strike partnership that day, too.
On Saturday, the pair returned again to play in sync, and proved instrumental in the Dynamo getting 17 total shots, including four on target. All required some acrobatic saves from Whitecaps’ keeper David Ousted.
“I think the idea was really good. I do think we created some good things,” said Houston Dynamo head coach Wade Barrett. “I think with a little more time to work on it, I think we’ll do it a little bit better.”
Barrett noted that the chemistry between Bruin and Torres was especially good, considering they didn’t have much time to practice after 1084792648" tabindex="0">Wednesday’s US Open Cup loss to FC Dallas.
Bruin, who has often played as a lone forward this season, particularly benefited from Dynamo having two forwards on the field. Bruin managed four shots, and if not for Ousted’s heroics, would probably have notched a goal.
“That’s the second time we’ve played together since he’s been here, and you can see the chemistry there already just from one game,” said Bruin of Torres. “I think if it’s something we work on, it’s only going to get better.”
Unfortunately for the Dynamo and Bruin, Torres is on his way out of Houston for a short stint. The Mexican international is set to leave 1084792649" tabindex="0">Sunday in anticipation of his participation with Mexico’s U-23 team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
“If we sit down and analyze the game you can see that we dedicated ourselves to attacking more,” he said. “We had good attacking chances and good combinations, but in the end, we’re not too happy because we couldn’t capitalize on those chances with goals.”
The Dynamo’s nil-nil draw adds to the team’s shutout record at home, however; they haven't conceded a goal in the last 491 minutes at home.
The shutout is important to Barrett, who’s without the services of defenders DaMarcus Beasley and Agus — who are out with injuries — as well as Raúl Rodríguez, who left the first half of the game with a right adductor strain injury.
“It’s a credit to the group,” said Barrett. “It’s a testament to the fact that the guys are really paying attention to what’s happening in training.”
