Considering all, the visitors can feel OK about the way they played down in Houston. Against the most trying of circumstances, coach Ben Olsen?s team had a good plan, and then was sharper and more committed in the opening minutes.
The reward was a halftime lead ? but it all fell apart as D.C. United simply could not keep up, the miles and playoff wear and tear all catching up.
So, credit United with a big, brave effort ? but then credit the Houston Dynamo for taking advantage of with the road weary travelers and grabbing this Eastern Conference finals series by the neck.
The Dynamo found the flanks and found three goals after the break in a 3-1 win at BBVA Compass Stadium. So they?ll take that 3-1 lead into next week?s second leg of the total goals series at RFK Stadium.
Man of the Match:
Yes, Andrew Hainault deserved at least a yellow card (and possibly a red) for his drag-down on United midfielder Raphael Augusto just before halftime. But he didn?t get caught. And with that, Houston?s center back remained on the field to have a terrific influence, heading away everything within challenging range and being a major bother on set-pieces. He was also Andrew On the Spot to push in Houston?s first goal, a big one as the home team climbed back into the game.
Threesome of knowledge: What we learned
Young scorers keep getting it done:?Nick DeLeon?s first half goal for D.C. United may not look so big now, but if United can score a goal or two early at RFK, the rookie?s latest playoff contribution will begin to look absolutely massive.
What a week for the first-year man out of Louisville. His goal for D.C. United on Thursday at Red Bull Arena is surely the proud organization?s biggest strike in five years. Sunday, by staying alert and following the play, DeLeon was in the right spot to finish strong and give his team some hope in the series.
What DeLeon is doing for United, Will Bruin is doubling down on, at least, for Houston. His busy ways are always troublesome for opposition defenders. But when Bruin is stacking the misery by also scoring goals, Houston?s second-year man really does become a force.
Bruin crashed into position to finish Giles Barnes? brilliant work along the flank in the 68th minute. That was the game-winner, not to mention his fourth goal of the playoffs. It was also his 21st goal in 61 appearances, regular season and playoffs included. That?s blue ribbon production for a second-year man.
It?s a series of attrition: United is feeling every tick of the season-long clock, and especially feeling the burn of a tough series against New York.
Missing goalkeeper Bill Hamid, right back Andy Najar, creative engine Dwayne De Rosario and defender Daniel Woolard to start, they were also without starting midfielders Chris Pontius and Marcelo Saragosa before halftime Sunday.
Pontius? loss was potentially devastating. Not only did the livewire left-sided attacker represent the team?s top threat on offense, but leaving so early (in the 12th minute) forced Olsen to burn an early sub.
(Olsen had asked the young attacker whether a groin injury was well enough for starter?s duty. Pontius said it was, so he got the go-ahead. The point is, players sometimes let their emotions take over. It?s up to the coach to insist on honest conversations in these cases. You wonder if Olsen, still a young coach, learned a big? lesson here?)
Since Pontius is now further ailing with a groin problem, it?s possible he could be in trouble for the return leg, too.
Houston is in better shape at this point, but only slightly. Adam Moffat had to leave before intermission, completing the depletion of Houston?s central midfield core. Ricardo Clark was out of the 18-man game-day roster, also injured. Same for center back Jermaine Taylor, although Hainault proved more than adequate as a replacement.
Shame to see this series settled with so many influencers out, but that?s the deal when the playoff schedule gets compressed as it does.
Houston found its way after intermission: United really should feel good about it?s opening 45 minutes. More than getting the tactics right, and more than being the more committed team in tackles and challenges for second balls, they ?out-Houstoned? the Dynamo.
Houston plays direct, safe and conservative. They let the other guys make the mistakes and then look to pounce. But United was better at limiting the booboos. Houston center back Bobby Boswell got dragged out of position on the goal, for instance, and then got caught ball watching as DeLeon crashed in uncontested.
Meanwhile, Houston forced ball after ball down the center, mostly with no joy.
Second half looked like a different match. With United increasingly knackered, the Dynamo finally found the flanks. They got balls wide to Mac Kandji, Oscar Boniek Garcia or Bruin. Fullbacks Kofi Sarkodi and Corey Ashe found the wide, advanced spaces, too.
That was the game.
Packaged for take-away
- Houston ends its first campaign at BBVA Compass Stadium undefeated at their new ground. Going back to the Robertson Stadium days, the Dynamo are unbeaten in 30 straight matches in all competitions.
- Sarkodi, Houston?s right back, is growing into the playoffs. He was excellent Sunday.
- Boswell had the defensive play of the match, heading Rafael Augusto?s shot off the line in the 65th minute.
- Houston is not getting a lot from right-sided attacker Oscar Boniek Garcia in the playoffs. He?s not bad, but nothing special so far in the post-season.
- In his defense, Boniek Garcia did provide some late inspiration with hustle-bustle. When you?re not doing much else, you can always bounce in spirited effort.
- Joe Willis, in United goal for the suspended Hamid, did everything he needed to do. He could do nothing on any of the Dynamo goals, contributed a couple of big saves and handled all the crosses within reach with sure hands and plenty of composure.
- Willis? best moment came 77 minutes in, as he pawed away Sarkodi?s volley from close range.
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