Fox Man's Grade Book: Dynamo salvage a point in 2019 MLS Opening Day

Andres Naranjo
Mar 4, 2019
3 min read

Houston Dynamo settled with a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake at home to start things off in the latest league campaign. Despite the Dynamo struggling to create chances later on in the second half, they secured one point to close a busy week of soccer in Houston.

Key Points:

• With the seventh-straight league opener at home, the Dynamo remain undefeated in all MLS opening matches at BBVA Compass Stadium (5W-2D-0L).

• Mauro Manotas opened his 2019 MLS scoring account and now carries three goals in the last three matches.

• Rotated squad to adjust to upcoming Leg 1 in CCL Quarterfinals against Tigres UANL on Tuesday, March 5.

I was able to experience the streamer-less changes around BBVA Compass Stadium prior to the start of the match since I was not able to attend the showcase event for media hosted by the club. From the things that were highlighted in that event: the audio quality around the stadium definitely improved, concessions provide more options but they should extend the “Happy Hour” deals even if it is an incentive for fans to show up early to matches, CryoJets (smoke) behind goals look pretty good, and fortified the legacy of late super-fan Leo Ponce by naming the permanent cannon on top of the supporters section after him. Most of these were welcoming changes, but much more needs to be done in order to improve the gameday experience and to address the club’s attendance issues.

Wilmer Cabrera fielded a XI that was meant to play a lite defensive Dynamo role (absorb and trigger the counter) and energetic offense against RSL while keeping in mind the team’s most important match of the season this Tuesday, starting with a back line with Lundkvist, Figueroa, Fuenmayor, and Kevin Garcia (which makes it evident that Beasley, Struna, and AJ are on the XI against Tigres), Boniek starting in Cabezas’ spot assuming that the Colombian is in precautionary care, and Manotas and Elis not playing full 90 minutes in order to preserve some energy.

Despite a slow start in the first half and Houston likely to score first, the visitors struck first prior to halftime as Albert Rusnak found the back of the net of Corey Baird’s cross inside the box as the orange back line was not able to mark properly (one of my many gear grinders about this team).

Real Salt Lake looked like they were about to double the scoreline at the start of the second half with continuous pressure over Houston, but the visitors would not be able to stop Mauro Manotas as Maynor Figueroa would trigger the play with a fantastic pass to Adam Lundkvist (redeeming himself from a few defensive blunders) who will provide the cross off the flank to the Colombian and successfully debut the brand new Cryo-Jet goal celebration.

Boniek Garcia would score the second goal for the Dynamo in the 76th minute, but his goal would be called back late by the assistant on the sideline for an offside call. Armando Villareal would briefly refer to his earpiece for a potential VAR review but the call would stand. No free gas or Cane’s chicken.

Both sides would back and forth for the remainder of the match, but a careless tackle by Matias Vera would earn him a second booking and a ejection in the 82nd minute.

The match would end 1-1. A somewhat positive result considering Houston’s circumstances listed above but I felt like they could have done more damage, hopefully the energy is stored for the date with Tigres.

Fox MVP of the Night:

• Mauro Manotas: Forever Deadly. The Sabanalarga man proved his ability to change the match, recorded his first league goal of the season and looks to improve over his career year in 2018. More of this please!

Honorable mentions:

• Joe Willis: four key saves out of a magnificent performance to keep Houston in the match. It was tough for me to leave him out the Fox MVP of the Night to be honest.

• Adam Lundkvist: some defensive miscues, but I see him improving offensively, putting himself forward, and growing slowly with every match played. Wild Card!