Las Naranjas offensive philosophy of attacking through the flanks is faltering. The L.A. Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps were intended to disrupt the wide areas. L.A. was physical. Vancouver patrolled the outside solely for defensive purposes.
Tomas Martinez has become a target to blatantly foul. Perry Kitchen’s foul led to a 3rd-minute set-piece goal in Houston. Vancouver’s midfielder Felipe knocked down Martinez in the opening seconds at BC Place.
Houston Dynamo Flank Play is Faltering
Houston may have played a 2-3-2-3 due to the absence of DaMarcus Beasley in British Columbia. Vancouver defensive can be reckless. They gathered three red cards in four games. The Southwest Canada squad were surprisingly discipline breaking up Houston’s passes.
Martinez was helped by adding another player beside him in the 2-3-2-3 formation. Tomas scored a goal in the 35th minute due to the attention from Alberth Elis. The Dynamo’s reliance on combination passes to move down the field was disjointed.
The Orange Crush played a 2-4-1-3 against LA on Cinco De Mayo. Romell Quinto was thwarted by Galaxy fullback Dan Romney. Ashley Cole became a bully harassing Elis into a non-factor.
LA’s downfall was being overly aggressive. A Dynamo set piece goal in the 47th minute came from another Galaxy foul. Houston suffered the same bullying fate in Vancouver. The Dynamo conceded 19 fouls. One foul became the game-tying goal for The Whitecaps.
Alphonso Davies, a promising 17-year-old Canadian International midfielder, attacked the middle using his speed to generate plays. Kei Kamara received long balls from Houston’s turnovers on their attacking end.
The Orange Crush defense has been bombarded at home and away. Houston had 21 clearances in Vancouver and 17 versus L.A.
The Chicago Fire looked like veterans at home last year only losing twice. The Fire now looked old losing three times at Toyota Park this season. The Men in Red can frustrate Martinez and Elis into substitutions like the two previous teams.
Houston’s combine salary budget is 5.2 million. Sebastian Giovinco is paid 7.1 million yearly. The Dynamo, stationed in the 8th biggest media market in America, has the lowest paid squad in MLS
Houston needs another attacking midfielder and some quality fullbacks, that’s all. It’s easy to tell other people how to spend their money. They’ll listen when fans stop spending money to go to BBVA Compass Stadium.
Oscar De Hoya and company are fortunate the cheap Dynamo squad who is playing well so far.
