3160ym191152133294931123136">The Houston Dynamo picked up their first road result of the season in a 2-2 draw against D.C. United. A late goal denied the Dynamo the three points as the team enters an international break before their next match, a meeting on Saturday, March 31st with the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m., TICKETS3160ym191152133294931123139">).
3160ym191152133294931123142">Here are three takeaways from the point at the ‘Plex:
3160ym191152133294931123145">1. Turnovers to goals
3160ym191152133294931123148">Some of the best opportunities for the Dynamo through their first three games have come off capitalizing on mistakes. Consequently, two of those opportunities against D.C. resulted in the goals scored in the 30th and 31st minutes – separated by just over 90 seconds.
Alberth Elis3160ym191152133294931123153"> continues to display the ability to turn a defensive lapse into an important goal opportunity. La Pantera was instrumental in both goals on Saturday, scoring the first off a self-pass and pouncing on the second to provide the assist. He has played a part in five of Houston’s seven goals this season.
3160ym191152133294931123162">2. Setting the tone
3160ym191152133294931123165">Earlier in the week, Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera mentioned the team’s need to “set the tone3160ym191152133294931123168"> now for how the Houston Dynamo are going play on the road.” While the result wasn’t the full three points the team wanted, the tone was set.
3160ym191152133294931123171">The Dynamo are going to be a team that comes to your ground and not be afraid to push numbers forward. They will look for goals away as they would playing in front of their crowd at BBVA Compass Stadium.
3160ym191152133294931123174">It can even be said that this team is extending the tone they set in the first match of the season against Atlanta United. This is a gritty team that plays with intensity for ninety minutes, far from perfect but one that will make you earn any result.
3160ym191152133294931123180">3. A chance to regroup
3160ym191152133294931123182">The international break comes at a good time to allow the Dynamo to regroup and reorganize. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the first three weeks of the season and assess where improvements need to be made.
3160ym191152133294931123185">On offense, the team needs to be more clinical on scoring opportunities – something Cabrera is sure to emphasize during the break. Not losing any attacking players to international call-ups will help that cause as the coaching staff will have extra time to work will all of their arsenal.
3160ym191152133294931123188">The injuries of 2017 team MVP Juan David Cabezas3160ym191152133294931123191">, Dylan Remick3160ym191152133294931123194"> and Philippe Senderos3160ym191152133294931123197"> have hurt the Dynamo on defense, but an additional week with no game allows more time for healing. Adolfo Machado3160ym191152133294931123200"> will join Panama for a pair of friendlies and will surely come back reinvigorated, knowing the 2018 FIFA World Cup inches closer each day.
