HOUSTON - After one of the team’s worst performances on Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union, the Houston Dynamo are eager to regroup and get back on the field.
Thankfully, the schedule makers provided Houston a prime opportunity with a rare midweek matchup Wednesday against an equally distressed team in the New York Red Bulls.
“That is the positive about [the midweek game],” defender Andrew Hainault. “We can’t right that wrong [the Union loss], but we can make it better by putting in a good performance on Wednesday. We definitely have to learn from the mistakes, and there are a lot to learn from.”
“The game right away, it is sometimes good after a bad performance to get right back in there,” Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad. “New York is a team right now that is going through a rough patch as well, but it will be a difficult match for both teams.”
The Red Bulls have lost their last four MLS matches, despite posting some impressive results in the US Open Cup and in a recent friendly match against Juventus.
“I am sure they feel the same way [that we do],” Houston defender Eddie Robinson said. “They started out really good and have kind of slowed down. I am sure they are frustrated trying to figure out the little things that can turn their momentum around, and we are in the same boat.”
Despite the struggles in league play, New York has traditionally dominated Houston at home. Houston is 0-2-3 on the road against New York.
“[We have to] forget about what happened on Saturday,” Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. “Take a look at the positives, wash out the negatives, but always remember why we didn’t play particularly well in some phases of the game and we have to improve on that.”
Added Hainault: “We have to make sure we pull our socks up, are smart, and put in a good fight.”
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
