HOUSTON — Andre Hainault is back with the Dynamo, but a lot earlier than he had hoped for.
Canada’s stunning early elimination from the CONCACAF Gold Cup left the team in shock, and Hainault is no exception as he rejoined Houston camp on Thursday.
“It’ll take a while,” the center back said of how he’ll recover from the loss. “It’s settling in slowly. At this point, I’m trying to forget about it because it’s over and there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t get that game back or that last minute or corner so you just have to get over it.”
While the team loss will be tough to get over, Hainault can find solace in his individual performance. The center back started every game for the Maple Leafs and helped provide the same type of cover for his national team that he been so good at providing this season for the Dynamo. Still, the earlier-than-expected exit puts a damper on many of the positives he can take from the tournament.
“There are some things I think I need to work on, but I think I did some good things as well,” Hainault said. “But overall, you judge it by how the team did and we didn’t get out of the group stage. It wasn’t a failure, but it was disappointing.”
The defender will have little time to dwell on the disappointment as he returns to a Dynamo team looking to build on last week’s win against Chivas USA.
Dominic Kinnear employed both Geoff Cameron and Eddie Robinson at center back in Hainault’s absence. With the latter out with a sprained MCL in his left knee, it’s likely Hainault will be called upon to reprise his role next to Bobby Boswell on the weekend.
Arriving in Houston on Wednesday, Hainault was back at training on Thursday preparing for the likely call this weekend against the Columbus Crew.
“I feel good,” Hainault said after training. “It’s not something new playing three games in a few weeks. We’ve had busy schedules with the Dynamo so we know how to deal with it. Dom’s good, he pulled me out of training early to help and I know how to take care of myself.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
