The Houston Dynamo pick up their second road result of the year with a 2-2 draw at the San Jose Earthquakes. Tomás MartÃnez and Mauro Manotas scored in the second half to draw and give the Dynamo the lead, respectively, before the home team tied things up five minutes from full-time.
Here are three things we learned:
1. Back from the break
This was the Dynamo’s first match in two weeks and only their second in the past 28 days.
A big challenge for the Men in Orange was to regain their gameday rhythm after the extra layoff due to the postponement of last week's game. The team's fresh legs were immediately a factor, with the Dynamo generating four attempts in the first 15 minutes of play.
Sharpness was the only thing missing in the first half and San Jose’s edge showed with a clinical goal to put the Earthquakes up at halftime. Still, the Dynamo defense was able to keep the home team to just two shots on goal.
2. Tomás the transformer
The second half was a different story for the Dynamo. The rust shook off as the team came out playing more effectively, generating 7 shots on target – up five from the first half.
MartÃnez changed the complexion of the team with his passing and dribbling, as well as the goal that opened the scoring for the Dynamo – his first of the year. He was also credited with a secondary assist in the team's second goal as he threaded a pass to Alberth Elis who found Manotas near the far post.
MartÃnez’s performance received accolades from the Dynamo broadcast team as his best performance for the club. If he continues to deliver performances like the one in San Jose, the Dynamo could very well get on a roll.
3. Looking forward to Saturday
Perhaps the biggest takeaway for the players will be that they won't have to wait long to get back on the pitch. The Dynamo have an MLS match lined up for each of the next three weeks.
The Dynamo will also welcome back DaMarcus Beasley, allowing Andrew Wenger to move back into an attacking role. Wenger picked up his 100th MLS start against San Jose filling in at left back.
Getting back to a consistent schedule will help the Dynamo regain the consistency that helped them to a playoff berth in 2017. The team will be looking to follow up a respectable road result with a win at home against the visiting Toronto FC on Saturday (2 p.m., TICKETS).
