The Houston Dynamo continued their Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde routine this weekend. On the road in a hostile Portland environment, the Dynamo dropped a 2-0 result to the Timbers.
The road loss is the second of the season, but unlike their first one, a dramatic 3-2 loss to FC Dallas, the result had far fewer positives to take away.
After the loss, the running theme was that the club failed to respond in the second half with pressure when the Timbers had the ball which led to a lot of open space. Also, the Dynamo struggled to get their attack going and their usual high possession game was not producing. Things that were not an issue in Dallas three weeks ago.
“I will give them credit, I think they created a lot of their chances from their efforts and their movement,” said goalkeeper Tally Hall following the match. “You need to look at the guy across the field from you and say ‘I’m going to be better than you, I’m going to be tougher than you,’ and it’s just that mindset that we need to have. We lost it in the second half.”
After Saturday’s loss, the Dynamo quickly turned their attention to next week’s home match against the Chicago Fire as a way to right the ship. While they have been mild mannered on the road, they have been monsters at home winning all three games at BBVA Compass Stadium this season.
“Back at home, we have a good run going there so we want to continue that,” midfielder Adam Moffat said postgame. “Anytime you lose a game you kind of want to get there and make amends. So for us it’s next Sunday, to get back to business and preparing for that and hopefully get another three points.”
The good news is that the Dynamo’s ills seem to fade away at BBVA Compass Stadium. After their loss in Portland the Dynamo will have ample ammunition as they have extra day to prepare for the Fire.
The club will have an extra day to prepare, which could help the recovery of starters Boniek Garcia and Will Bruin. Both players missed Saturday’s game with an ankle and hamstring injury respectively.
“We wanted to come here and get a good result and obviously that didn’t happen,” said head coach Dominic Kinnear. “We still have until Sunday; there are still a lot of days to practice. Hopefully we get ready for that game well, and forget this one as quick as we can.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @DarrellLovell.
