HOUSTON – After six games of unlocking opposing defenses, the Houston Dynamo came up empty for the majority of Wednesday’s match against the Colorado Rapids.
In addition to the low number of scoring chances, the Dynamo’s 2-1 loss at Robertson Stadium saw a high number of fouls — 26 total — and two yellow cards. With the Rapids looking to disrupt Houston's potent attack, the men in orange — who entered the week as one of the league leaders in shots — generated just nine shots, their lowest home output of the season.
“I think they were dropping back and getting a lot of numbers behind the ball,” forward Cam Weaver said after the game. “Putting three guys in midfield and clogging the passing lanes made it difficult at the beginning, but I think we figured it out as the game wore on and started to create more chances.”
Both teams surged forward as the game opened up in the second half, but Colin Clark’s first goal in a Dynamo kit was the lone offensive bright spot on a tough night.
“I think we got to certain points on the field if we would’ve picked the simpler pass it would have been easier for us, but we tried to play the difficult ball and it led to turnovers that were unnecessary,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “It made it tough for us to keep the ball.”
Cameron sits out
Midfielder Geoff Cameron was scratched from the starting lineup after pregame warm-ups due to persistent swelling in his lower left leg.
“I was a little apprehensive about getting stuck in some tackles, which is a major part of the game,” said Cameron, who added he was eager to return to the mix when the Dynamo take on Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday. “I don’t think I was ready for the contact because the bruising is still pretty bad.”
Ching gets late scare
Coming on in the 62nd for Weaver, forward Brian Ching saw his second most action of the season on Wednesday night. The excitement for his return was dampened, however, when he hit the deck in the 78th minute. Ching went up to head a Brad Davis corner kick and came down awkwardly on his foot.
“He got a bit of knock there and fell down, but he finished the game for us,” Kinnear said.
Kinnear added that he is unsure if Ching will suit up against Toronto. “We’ll see, but I hope so,” he said.
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com. Follow him on twitter at @Dynamoexaminer.
