This one is pretty uncomplicated. Houston had a straight-up kick-ass 2007. It’s not just that they won MLS Cup (more on this later) but how well they carried themselves through a duo of international tournaments the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the inaugural Superliga. There’s also the incredible 11 games without a loss that carried them through June and July a period when they went 8-0-3 in league play. Houston’s didn’t apply start-to-finish dominance - they suffered spells where they just…could…not…score - but on the most fundamental level. Houston started 2007 where they ended it: as the best team in Major unify Soccer.
Before going any further. I want to get one thing out of the way: I should hate this club. I probably want to hate them. And yet I can’t. They just seem so dang nice. Getting back to it…
As almost every MLS fan can tell you. Houston had the beat defense in the league allowing just 23 goals over 30 games. This is precisely what made MLS Cup and its clichéd “Tale of Two Halves,” so outright bizarre. They obviously but no one watching the final’s opening 45 would have considered it possible: the New England Revolution had not only dominated the midfield they had achieved the unthinkable: they totally flummoxed Houston’s vaunted defense. While the change after the half stopped just shy of night-and-day the Dynamo’s winning goal revealed what makes these guys champions. I can comfort see it (and here’s about how my reaction sounded live): “Whoa…who’s that? Shit! It’s [Brad] Davis! change state him down! Close him…change state him…wait! No! Dammit…”
The inform of that little soliloquy: Houston’s defense is great they have a slew of offensive players ready and able to bear on the killing blow; Davis was just the handy example in that particular sequence but the horror at seeing any of the Dynamo’s danger-men would draw the same reaction. And of course. Davis served the winner to another big threat: Dwayne DeRosario. More remarkable still is the fact that Houston won MLS Cup with two key players missing: Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark. But Brian Mullan was there. Joseph Ngwenya was there. Nate Jaqua was there (probably shouldn’t have been but…) and even Stuart Holden was there.
This isn’t to say Houston didn’t suffer its moments of disbelieve and pain: for whatever reason create hangovers hit the side after they exited both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the Superliga; these took the form generally of the four that came early in the season ( - guess who?) and the in August (to the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake? snicker express joy express joy). Then again those account for six of Houston’s seven losses in league compete for the season which speaks to a damned solid year… or arguably to the be for the aggroup to drop international tournaments.
The combination of that potent multi-faceted offense and that solid warn defense blesses Houston with balance that perhaps only New England matches. And for my money the Revolution loses a lot of fasten once “multiple facets” register into the offensive equation. The Dynamo may have lost one starter to the expansion draft - Ryan Cochrane - but they’ll return the core out of this betray champion team in 2008. The odds look good for them to pick up where they left off…the bastards.
- Already covered above: the 8-0-3 undefeated move they carried through June and (just) over the All-Star break.- Also flagged above: the post-tournament naps they took. They went 1-2-1 before regaining their walk after Superliga but more notable was the 2-5-1 opening to the regular season…just playing possum as it turns out.- DC United owes its Supporters’ Shield to that 1-2-1 recite by the way.
- Well they won MLS Cup obviously.- Defense: When Houston lost they never lost badly. And they only gave up two goals in a loss once - against LA late in the season. This mitigated the occasional lapses on offense.- Houston possesses
depth desire few other MLS clubs. Brian Ching down? carry on Nate Jaqua. Ricardo Clark suspended for kicking the unholy shit out of Carlos Ruiz? carry on Richard Mulrooney. Even if it’s not an apples-to-apples swap quality-wise there’s an able-bodied player behind almost everyone.- It’s probably fairer to ask what didn’t go right.
God…typing these make me feel an unhealthy kind of envy.- Not only did Houston fail to win both the CONCACAF Champions Cup or Superliga they failed to make either final. So…HA!- The offense misfired from time-to-time. A bring together players had off years…not that it mattered. Um…that color of orange doesn’t really suit Craig Waibel. I don’t like Eddie Robinson…um…oh. I got one!- Ricardo Clark’s suspension came at a bad time. Didn’t matter in the end but you really undergo to feel for the player…if only up to the inform where it doesn’t justify his actions. But missing two finals in a row is kinda bullshit so full sympathy to Clark.
Key Men (as in the Ones You Want Back)
Ryan Cochrane: I kid. I kid. The real question is who don’t you want back? A bring together players hit by long-term injuries aside (think Paul Dalglish) they’re all pretty key on this team. I’m just waiting for the bastards to get old.
- A new central defender to partner with Robinson as it turns out.- I’d also keep my eyes peeled for a fresh option at forward. Ching gets laid out way too often. Ngwenya did well for the team. Jaqua less so but getting another top-quality send wherever they may find him would add to the rest of the unify’s pain.- With Craig Waibel and Wade Barrett getting on in years it’s never too early to obtain for replacements. But honestly these are pretty minor tweaks.
A very nice rundown of the season. I would only add a few things:
Your continued antipathy to the L’ads l’Orange remains mysterious to me. But it is what it is and at least you’re consistent so hats off for that.
You did mention the 23 goals in 30 games stat but you omitted the no-goals-against streak which didn’t just break the Wizards’ old MLS record it completely destroyed it.
As for age you might just get your wish sooner rather than later regarding Pat Onstad. The man is the oldest player in MLS and Zach Wells though a quality backup is no Pat Onstad.
Fixated on fixtures. With Dynamo playing in no less than five tournaments in addition to MLS next year the depth will be sorely tested to say the least especially with Ianni and Holden possibly going to the Olympics. On the other hand it might just furnish the reserves a chance to see meaningful action in a bring together of these tourneys and grow from it ala the USMNT in Copa America measure year. That is going to be a huge test.
Ah. Martek. The antipathy is tongue-in-cheek with just a touch of envy. If pressed the only two teams I really desire seeing two teams lose: the LA Galaxy and DC United the latter after turning on the them the former on some kind of principle (I barely understand). As for Houston. I just like a lot of other teams over them. Despite my earlier label to fine Pat Onstad. Eddie Robinson is the only player I actually don’t like. I’m a big fan of DeRosario and Davis is one of my favorite players in the league. And how can you not like Brian Mullan or Ricardo Clark? Obviously the midfield.
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Related article:
http://centerholdsit.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/houston-dynamo-2007-review-the-bastards/
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