ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER LOSS: THE WORST START IN TEAM HISTORY

 

                                Photo credit: Kane McKinney, SFL Staff Photographer



By Vicente Garcia Miale

 

HOUSTON – Dynamo FC officially recorded the worst start in team history after gaining only one point in the first four matches of MLS Regular Season play.  

 A first half full of emotions began at Shell Energy Stadium with speedy and direct attacks by Real Salt Lake. Houston’s lack of intensity and Real Salt Lake's effectiveness led to an early goal scored by Diogo Goncalves. A quick linkup started by Diego Luna placed Goncalves in front of the net 45 seconds into the match. Pablo Mastroeni’s team proved that it was ready to battle. 

 The rhythm of the match continued as expected with both teams attempting to be dangerous in the final third. It wasn’t fifteen minutes into the game when Sebastian Kowalczyk was fouled in the edge of the box, allowing Jack McGlynn to serve a dangerous cross to Ezequiel Ponce that resulted in the Houston equalizer and Ponce’s first goal of the season. 

 As the game went on Houston earned more confidence. Amine Bassi and recently signed midfielder Nico Lodeiro linked up well and caused confusion and danger to Real Salt Lake’s defense. Fans at The Shell erupted when a Bassi shot from outside the box placed Olsen’s team in front; however, VAR ruled the goal off because Ponce was offsides and blocked goalkeeper Rafael Barbosa’s vision during the shot attempt.  

 With an almost-finished first half, Real Salt Lake began utilizing counterattacks again. Ben Olsen’s team came back to its negative reality when a cross from Dominik Marczuk landed in Diego Luna’s head. The USMNT player quickly headed the ball into the net and put Mastroeni’s team back up front.

 Both teams started the second half by perfectly executing and understanding their responsibilities. A score of 1-2 for Real Salt Lake meant Houston had to advance with the ball, resulting in the opening of a large space behind their defensive line left for RSL to exploit. Houston slowly began pushing Mastroeni’s team against their goal with confident attacks, yet no net was being found. 

 Pressure arose and Olsen could feel it. Not being able to secure a win in the first four matches of the season caused great discomfort among Houston’s staff, forcing major substitutions to be made.  Lodeiro, Escobar, and Kowalczyk were replaced by Duenas, Steres, and Segal. The changes were made at different times during the second half. 

 Houston looked for its second equalizer of the night with the remaining energy in the tank and the loud cheers from the fans, but no shot was dangerous enough to beat RSL goalkeeper Rafael Barbosa. The resilience and effort for Los Naranjas wasn’t enough and the objective of obtaining the first win of the season wasn’t reached. 

 

The final score in Houston was 1-2 for Real Salt Lake. Houston sits with a record of 0 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. Ben Olsen’s team will face El Salvador national team in a historic friendly match on Wednesday, Mar. 19 at Shell Energy Stadium. 

 

For tickets and information visit houstondynamofc.com.

 


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