Sunday evening as the Dynamo prepared for 3 games in 7 days, I discussed with others about this stretch and was certain that 5 points would be a great result for the week. After a second straight Wednesday night the Dynamo now have 6 points and look to finish off the perfect 9 point week Saturday night as the Montreal Impact come to town.
Wednesday night’s match against Sporting Kansas City started off with some back and forth play until Calen Carr made his mark in the 24th minute. Carr, making his first start back from injury, was the beneficiary of a great run from Will Bruin into the right side of the box. Bruin held off SKC defender Aurelien Collin and found Carr in the streaking into the middle of the penalty area. Carr hit a well placed shot to the far post to beat keeper Jimmy Nielsen and give Houston the lead.
Sporting KC were able to find an equalizer after Bobby Boswell and Andre Hainault combined to bring down Jacob Peterson in the box. A bear hug and/or kick during a cross from Kei Kamara earned the whistle from the referee. Teal Bunbury stepped up to take the penalty but Kamara took the ball from him. Kamara slotted it into the corner to tie the score at 1 in the 43rd minute. The goal snapped a 356 minute scoreless streak for Dynamo.
Much like Sunday’s game against DC, a first half red card changed things drastically. The game took a turn on the stroke of halftime when Sporting midfielder Peterson Joseph was issued a straight red card for a cynical foul on Calen Carr. Peterson came in with a slide tackle from behind and went right through Carr’s legs.
The Dynamo pushed for a winner throughout the second half and finally found it in the 80th minute. Carr got his brace when he was able to bundle a cross home from close range. The cross came in from the left through a few bodies and Carr threw his body at it and managed to make enough contact to find the back of the net. Carr said after the game that the ball hit the back of his leg and he had to look back over his shoulder to see that it went in. It was the first time Carr had ever scored twice in an MLS game.
The win moved the Dynamo into 4th in the East, ahead of Chicago on goal differential. In order to complete the 9 point week the Dynamo will have to beat a team from Canada, something they have not been able to do this season. The last time Houston and Montreal played Adam Moffat was sent off in a 4-2 loss at Stade Saputo. Payback will definitely be on the Dynamo’s minds as well as the chance to finish off the 9 point week. Look for some players to get a rest after the recent run of fixtures. Boniek Garcia has played every minuyte since he arrived and I look for him to be rested against Montreal. Another red card would help but if the Dynamo can continue to learn the 4-3-3 and hold tight defensively they should have no problem beating the Impact at home. I look for a 2-0 win to cap off a perfect week at BBVA Compass Stadium.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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