On Wednesday, the Dynamo saw their 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League book close with a 3-0 loss to Santos Laguna at Estadio Corona. For those in Torreon, the match will be remembered for many things, most of which did not make the box score.
Brunner designated as second goalkeeper
With Tyler Deric not fully recovered from a training injury he picked up in early March, goalkeeper Erich Marscheider flew to Mexico to be the club's backup goalkeeper. Unfortunately, the second-year 'keeper picked up an injury in Tuesday's training session and he was unable to dress for Wednesday's game. Needing to designate a second goalkeeper in the off-chance something happened to starter Tally Hall, Dominic Kinnear went with center back Eric Brunner.
"I haven't played goalkeeper in a long time, but you are always messing around with it," Brunner said. "The last time I played it I was probably 10 or 11, but we needed to have a plan ready in case something happened to Tally. Dom asked me if I was cool with it and I said 'Yes.'"
Ashe picks up sickness in Mexico
It's unclear if Montezuma is a soccer fan or not, but he apparently was rooting for Santos Laguna in Wednesday's match. Corey Ashe, who had started Houston's season opener vs. D.C. United and the first leg against Santos came down with an illness in Mexico - otherwise known as Montezuma's Revenge - and was unable to play in the second leg.
"I guess it was something I ate," the all-star left back said. "I woke up early Tuesday morning and that's when it started. I trained on Tuesday and it was torture. I dressed for the game, but was only going to play if it was absolutely necessary."
Ashe trained with the team in full on Friday and plans to be ready for Sunday's match.
Johnson gets first action as a professional
One bright spot from Wednesday's match was the fact that Jason Johnson made his professional debut for the Dynamo. The 2013 first round draft pick entered the game in the 86th minute for midfielder Brad Davis.
"I couldn't be happier," Johnson said of making his Dynamo debut. "Unfortunately, we lost that game so my happiness turned to sadness. I'm glad that the coach has that confidence in me that he can put in a match like that. I'm going to continue to work hard at training and do what the coach asks me to do so I can perform a little better next time.
