Game Stream: Houston Dynamo Lose 1-0 To Phildelphia Union In Season Opener

Lack of communication and cohesion seemed to be the theme for the Houston Dynamo who lost their 2011 MLS opener after falling to the Philadelphia Union.

The difference in the game was a momentary lapse of concentration by Bobby Boswell on a long throw-in in Houston’s attacking third in the fifth minute that led to a Sebastien Le Toux to shot off of off the wood work and into Danny Califf’s path for a goal.

Houston had trouble creating chances, but Will Bruin managed a shot on goal and Dominic Oduro whiffed a sitter in the second half.

The entire game was chippy and, at times, had the look of a game that could have ended with 10 men on each team. In the end, neither team saw red, except for the exasperated face of Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.

Despite a fantastic offseason run, the Dynamo looked much like their 2010 selves and have started the season in the same place they left last season.

Check back here later tonight for more thoughts on the game and post-game quotes and reactions from the players and coaches.

In the 85th minute, Carlos “El Pescadito” Ruiz left the game and made way for Amobi Okugo. This marks the last sub for both teams.

Danny Cruz came on for Hunter Freeman in the 71st minute, switching the Dynamo from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2. Glad to see Dominic Kinnear fighting for points and taking chances.

In the 70th minute, Union midfielder Kyle Nakazawa made room for Gabriel Farfan as the visitors try to leave with all three points. Just moments before, the Dynamo nearly equalized when Dominic Oduro shanked a Geoff Cameron cross.

With just over 25 minutes left in the match, the Houston Dynamo are continuing to press on the attack but have still not been able to break through and score a goal. Will Bruin’s effort earlier in the half was the best chance for the men in orange.

The addition of Weaver and Oduro could be the difference for Houston, who desperately needed some speed in their attack.

The Dynamo nearly broke through in the 67th minute when Geoff Cameron headed a Brad Davis free kick just wide of goal.

The Dynamo brought on some pace when Dominic Oduro came on in 61st minute for debutante Will Bruin. Bruin looked the better forward throughout the first half and had a few decent efforts. Hope there’s much more to come from this player later in the season.

Philly Union young gun Danny Mwanga just entered the game for midfielder Justin Mapp in the 59th minute of the game. The Union look to be going more offensive with just over 30 minutes remaining.

Jason Garey exited the game in the 57th minute of the game and made way for Cam Weaver. it was the first substitute of the game for either team.

Dynamo Stats
Total Shots: 6
Shots on Goal: 1
Fouls: 4
Offside: 1
Corner Kicks: 3
Saves: 1

Union Stats
Shots: 3
Shots on Goal: 2
Fouls: 7
Offside: 1
Corner Kicks: 0
Saves:1

At half time, Danny Califf’s unassisted goal was the difference between the Dynamo and Union. After the goal, the Dynamo seemed to settle down a bit, but this game has been super chippy. At this rate, neither team will finish with all eleven men on the field.

We will be back in a few minutes with stats and thoughts from the first half.

Carlos Valdes of the Philadelphia Union received a yellow card for a push on a Dynamo attacker. That should bring the card count to two yellows a piece.

Brad Davis picked up the second yellow card of the game and the first for the Dynamo just minutes after Carlos Ruiz received a yellow for his challenge on Hainault. Let’s hope this game doesn’t get out of control.

Carlos Ruiz just received the first yellow card of the game and his 2011 season after elbowing Andrew Hainault in the face in a jumping challenge. The elbow looked intentional and could’ve been retaliatory for Hainault’s earlier challenge. El Pescadito is lucky to not see red there.

Danny Califf scored an unassisted foal in the 5th minute after the Dynamo defense fell apart and lost track of the ball and the man in the box. Immediately following the goal, Jason Garey got in an altercation with a Union defender, though neither player looked to receive a card.

Dynamo and Union just kicked off! The season has officially started.

It’s a beautiful evening in Houston and the Dynamo are just a half hour away from opening up the 2011 MLS season. What’s in store from this year’s Dynamo? Well, after the departure of a group of veterans in the offseason, Coach Kinnear and Chris Canetti brought in a host of young players from college and around the globe. What does that mean for the Dynamo? This year’s team looks younger, quicker, more athletic and they are hungry to erase the memories from last season and bring back the glory to Houston.

Check back here for in-game updates and analysis and feel free to check out Dynamo Theory for Zach’s live stream.

Here’s the starting line-up for the Philadelphia Union:

F Sebastien Le Toux
F: Carlos Ruiz
M: Justin Mapp
M: Stefani Miglioranzi
M: Brian Carroll
M: Kyle Nakazawa
D: Jordan Harvey
D: Carlos Valdes
D: Danny Califf ©
D: Sheanon Williams
GK: Faryd Mondragon

Subs: Zac MacMath (GK), Danny Mwanga, Chris Agorsor, Gabriel Farfan, Jack McInerney, Amobi Okugo, Roger Torres

Here’s the starting line-up for the Houston Dynamo:

F: Will Bruin
F: Jason Garey
RM: Corey Ashe
CAM: Geoff Cameron
CDM: Lovel Palmer
LM: Brad Davis
RB: Andrew Hainault
CB: Jermaine Taylor
CB: Bobby Boswell
LB: Hunter Freeman
GK: Tally Hall

Subs: Tyler Deric (GK), Mike Chabala, Danny Cruz, Eddie Robinson, Kofi Sarkodie, Cam Weaver, Dominic Oduro

It’s an interesting starting line-up for Houston; Will Bruin gets his first start for the Dynamo in his first game in Major League Soccer and Hunter Freeman and Andrew Hainault start as the outside defenders ahead of Mike Chabala. Kofi Sarkodie could get his first MLS minutes today if he’s brought off of the sub’s bench, and Dominic Oduro could make his return to the field for the Dynamo following his contract issues from the offseason.