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.