Let's face it, KC did not deserve to win that game and weren't exactly taking the game to Houston last night before Davy Arnaud's questionable red card. Last night's game against Houston was a really disappointing result for a few reasons including the Dynamo's injury problems and the Wizards inability to capitalize on it and the complete disappearance of the team's offense, especially in the second half. The Wizards did start a little brightly as Kei Kamara should have done better when he was played in on goal, but his shot went wide of the post, hitting the sign boards before falling in behind the goal. It was basically all down hill from there though, the Wizards back line made Dominic Oduro look like a competent forward as he torched the Wizards back line multiple times throughout the night. In the 24th it paid off as he got in behind the defense and laid a ball off to Luis Angel Landin who coolly chipped the ball over the on rushing Jimmy Nielsen to give Houston the lead. KC tried to come right back and a good cross by Davy Arnaud was flubbed by Josh Wolff on the back post as he tried to lay it back to Kamara.
Things got worse in the 33rd minute when Arnaud got played in on goal. Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad came out a little slower to collect and Arnaud tried to beat him to the ball, as Onstad knocked the ball down, Arnaud reached in with his foot to try and get the ball but got Onstad's hand. Referee Terry Vaughn (who was the center of attention in last week's Dallas-Seattle game for a late PK call) immediately went to his back pocket and produced the red card. A red card was harsh in that situation as the replays clearly showed that Onstad didn't have full possession of the ball. At worst it should have likely been a yellow card. This red card was given after earlier in the half Kamara had been elbowed in the chin/neck area by Bobby Boswell and had had nothing called. So instead of KC being up a man inside the first 15 minutes, KC was down a man in the first 35. While a man down, KC did produce a few chances, as Michael Harrington picked out Kamara with a nice cross. Kamara's snap header was right at Onstad though. While KC didn't score they did finish the half out stronger than expected.
At half time Peter Vermes pulled Kamara, who had been the most dangerous of the Wizards attackers (which wasn't saying much either) for Craig Rocastle. Houston started taking full advantage of the extra man and doubled their lead in the 52nd as Brian Mullan's shot took a slight deflection off the back of Matt Besler's foot, giving it just enough of a defection to take it past Nielsen. Oduro continued to be a thorn in the Wizards and Besler's side as shortly after the second goal he beat the offside trap and was in alone on Nielsen. Oduro after beating Nielsen though hit the post. His cross back into the box found Landin who had his initial shot blocked by Jack Jewsbury and his rebound very well saved by Nielsen. Nielsen continued to make some good saves as the half wore on, keeping KC in the match.
Based on the way Vaughn was calling the game, the Wizards were lucky not to be reduced to 9 men when Rocastle was shown only a yellow for an ugly scissor tackle. Finally late in the half KC started to get a few chances and make Onstad look like more than a spectator, but they still didn't get much out of those chances. And in the 87th minute with KC pushed up, the Dynamo again broke on the counter through Oduro and Samuel Appiah finished for his first career goal.
Overall a very poor performance from basically everyone not named Jimmy Nielsen last night. Besler was abused regularly by Oduro, Wolff and Smith were both complete none factors, and even after bringing on Rocastle, the midfield was still over run in the second half. The subbing of Kamara was confusing unless he was carrying an injury. A man down you pull the only guy on offense that at least allowed you to play a high line and go for the long ball, knock down, counter. With Kamara off the field, KC was forced to either go over the top with speed or try to play through the Dynamo and neither worked at all. Once Teal Bunbury was brought on and they had a bigger body up top again, KC's offense improved. (Improved meaning from non-existent to poor). They're going to have to pick it up a lot unless they're wanting to give Onalfo and DC their first win on Wednesday.
Wizards Man of the Match - Jimmy Nielsen - Without him in net, this is a 6-0 Dallas game from last year. He made at least 3-4 good saves that I think Hartman would have struggled to make last year for KC. Little to nothing he really could have done on any of Houston's 3 goals last night.
Player Ratings - Nielsen 5, Espinoza 3, Escobar 4, Besler 2, Harrington 3, Arnaud 4, Auvray 4, Jewsbury 4, Smith 3, Kamara 4, Wolff 2. Subs Rocastle 4, Myers 4, Bunbury 4
Sunday, May 02, 2010
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9 comments:
Yep, that basically sums it up. What a disappointing showing from a team that looked like a strong offensive force during their first game. I hope we can find our spark again and start putting the ball in the other teams net!
The red card was total BS but as you said, did it really matter...
The only good thing I see about bringing in Rocastle was that he wasn't afraid to mix it up with the Houston guys. I wish MLS would progress from that Houston style of play where you knock guys down and kick the ball long. Funny how the Dynamo players complained each time someone touched them back. Still, we played like crap.
1. Davy has to show better self control. Period.
2. Rocastle for Kamara?
3. I fear Wolff has declined to a point that current reliance upon him will mean continued lack of goal production.
4. Kinnear is the best coach in MLS.
might as well put Sunil in, Kamara and Wolff cant finish. Neither Kamara or Wolff ever create anything for anyone else, so aside from pressuring and rare ball that finds Kamaras head, they really hinder the attack.
Landin was off on the 2nd goal, running a screen when offside puts in in the play
Davy has to be smarter but Onstad made a meal of it. Vaughn is terrible.
Smith a 3 is a bit harsh, really the only person on the field that created anything
I don't know what game you were watching MOUFWASH, Smith was basically invisible, especially after we went down a man. 3 is perfectly acceptable.
"Disappointing" is good choice of words. We gotta score goals. Our front line ain't bringing home the bacon. I miss Zoltan - someone who provides a kick in the pants when they get on the field.
Once we were down a man and a goal, it was like a punch in the guts. But that's what separates playoff teams form non-playoff teams - the ability to bounce back, to have your subs produce.
MOUFWASH I agree with your first comment Wolffy has not done anything for me this season and I was fearful of that coming in so why keep Chhetri out of the game day 18? Let the kid play and see what he can do because it can't be any worse than what Wolffy is showing us now.
yes, after we were 2 goals and man down he didnt do well, no one did. but, all even, he was the key to each of our should have been early goals. he did made the plays that no one else did, ones that actually set up chances. Considering Kamara got a 4 for having terrible touch and blowing an oppertunity that professional fowards should put away the majority of the time, I think a 3 for Smith is harsh. Davy got 4...
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