SB Nation Houston - Final: Dynamo Fight Back To Draw Against 10-Man Columbus Crewhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2011-09-14T21:00:16-05:00http://houston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21903102011-09-14T21:00:16-05:002011-09-14T21:00:16-05:00Final: Dynamo Fight Back To Draw Against 10-Man Columbus Crew
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<p>Despite playing almost 80 minutes with a one-man advantage, it was the Houston Dynamo who were forced to come back from behind and grab a late equalizer against the Columbus Crew.</p>
<p>Crew defender Emmanuel Ekpo saw red inside the first fifteen minutes of the match after hitting Dynamo midfielder Adam Moffat in the face following a challenge for the ball. The call was a bit harsh, especially so early in the game, but it set the tone for the night, resulting in a match that was dictated by poor officiating, harsh challenges, and a lack of conviction from the Dynamo.</p>
<p>The real difference maker in tonight’s match was the two penalties called against the Houston Dynamo in the second half. Andres Mendoza, who was quiet most of the night, stepped up and converted both penalty kicks, giving the Crew a 2-1 lead, despite playing one man down.</p>
<p>The Dynamo had their chances, but saw their efforts thwarted by Columbus’ defense which hunkered down and shut down Houston’s attacking third following Ekpo’s ejection. Utimately, it was Calen Carr who proved hero for Houston, coming off the bench to score the game-tying goal with just minutes left. It was Carr’s first goal for Houston and marked his first goal for any team since going out injured for an extended time due to complications resulting from a concussion.</p>
<p>Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear could blame the officials for tonight’s final score, but his blame should fall on his players’ shoulders, who seemed more comfortable playing with their backs to goal, passing back to the defense instead of trying to play the ball forward.</p>
<p>The possession stat may be telling (79% Houston, 21% Columbus), but the most important fact of the night was that Houston failed to win a game in which they had a one-man advantage for almost 80 minutes.</p>
<p>There has been talk in Houston’s fan base about what it would be like to make the playoffs as the only team in league history to do so without winning a game on the road, but none of that seems to matter right now. If the Dynamo continue with the uninspired style of play fans have seen over the last two weeks, then there won’t be any post-season games for this team to play.</p>
<p>If that happens, then the tough questions will be asked, and everyone from the owners to the players will have to respond then.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/9/14/2426359/final-dynamo-fight-back-to-draw-against-10-man-columbus-crewJordan Wise2011-09-14T20:24:44-05:002011-09-14T20:24:44-05:00Dynamo Grab Goal Back, Bring Score Level To 2-2
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<p>Calen Carr grabbed the game-tying goal in the 84th minute after coming off the bench for the Houston Dynamo. Carr fired in a shot from a Geoff Cameron cross from the end line after Danny Cruz’s pass opened up some space in Columbus’ back line,</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/9/14/2426308/dynamo-grab-goal-back-bring-score-level-to-2-2Jordan Wise2011-09-14T20:13:19-05:002011-09-14T20:13:19-05:00Crew Gain Lead After Converting Second Penalty Kick
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<p>Andres Mendoza stepped up and converted his second penalty kick of the night, giving the Crew a 2-1 lead over the Dynamo in the 73rd minute. Mendoza stepped up to take the kick after JeVaughn Watson kicked Dilly Duka in the stomach during a Crew corner kick. Watson was caught ball watching on the play and his man was able to get in behind him in a good position.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/9/14/2426281/crew-gain-lead-after-converting-second-penalty-kickJordan Wise2011-09-14T20:10:29-05:002011-09-14T20:10:29-05:00Dynamo Give Up Lead On Crew Penalty Kick
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<p>The Houston Dynamo saw their 1-0 lead vanish after a handball inside of the box was called against forward Cam Weaver who was back on the play defending. Weaver’s arm was by his side, but the referee gave the call and the Crew were able to convert from the spot.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2011/9/14/2426276/dynamo-give-up-lead-on-crew-penalty-kickJordan Wise2011-09-14T20:02:45-05:002011-09-14T20:02:45-05:00In Progress: Dynamo Lead On Road Against Columbus Crew
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<p>JeVaugh Watson scored his first goal of the season against the 10-man Columbus Crew to give the Houston Dynamo a 1-0 lead on the road. </p> The Houston Dynamo managed to take a first half lead over a struggling Columbus Crew after JeVaughn Watson headed home a cross from fellow Jamaican Jermaine Taylor.
The goal was created after Taylor controlled the ball with a tremendous first touch, stretching the Crew defense, then looped a cross to Watson at the back post.
Houston's goal and control of the first half was possible after Crew defender Emmanuel Ekpo picked up a straight red card in the first fifteen minutes. Ekpo dispossessed Adam Moffat in the center of the pitch but followed up the initial challenge with a hand directly into Moffat's face. The call may have been harsh, but it is difficult to see how Ekpo's contact could have been accidental and had the markings of a challenge meant to send a message to the former Crew midfielder.
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear made a few personnel changes ahead of tonight's match, starting Will Bruin, who is back fresh from injury, and Cam Weaver in place of the injured Brian Ching and suspended Carlos Costly. In the midfield, Kinnear gave Luis Camargo his first start, playing him on the right side. Brad Davis, JeVaughn Watson, and Moffat filled out the rest of the midfield. Coach Kinnear opted to give Canadian international Andre Hainault a rest, playing Geoff Cameron and Bobby Boswell in the center of defense, between Jermaine Taylor and Corey Ashe.
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-dynamo/2011/9/14/2426231/in-progress-dynamo-lead-on-road-against-columbus-crewJordan Wise