Houston's Adam Moffat conceded the PK that turned into the winning goal.
Saturday night was RSL's first league home match since this disappointing loss to Sporting Kansas City last month. Recent MLS results had seen the Claret and Cobalt pick up only one of their last nine available points, yet somehow they were still at the top of the Western Conference. Wednesday night, an Open Cup play win over the Portland Timbers instilled some new confidence in the team, but again they gave up a late goal, which had been the hoodoo of the side in recent weeks.
Houston came out well in the first 15 minutes, determined to put some pressure on RSL's more tired legs. It seemed to work well for a time, even getting some possession in the RSL 3rd. However, their midfield really didn't seem to be connecting well with Will Bruin up front, and for the most part he was a non factor.
After weathering the opening Houston storm relatively unscathed, the Claret and Cobalt started to assert themselves fairly well. Jason Kreis came out in a 4-2-1-3 formation featuring Alvaro Saborio, Joao Plata, and Olmes Garcia up front. Plata didn't have the best of nights, but the Dynamo seemed to have particular trouble with Olmes, fouling him quite a bit. Still, the pressure mounted by RSL didn't pay off until late in the first half.
In the 37th minute, Olmes Garcia went up for a header in the penalty area. Houston's Adam Moffat came in and clearly undercut him, dropping him to the ground as he went for the ball. The referee pointed to the spot, awarding RSL a PK. The Dynamo and some media folks have tried to call this into controversy, but I think it was the absolute right call. You see that particular call made at midfield all the time and nobody says a word, because it's foul. If you do it in the penalty area, you concede a PK. It seems pretty cut and dry to me. At any rate, Saborio wrong wayed Tally Hall on the PK, sending RSL into the locker room up 1-0.
The Dynamo came out in the second half with the same intensity that they started the first half with. I expected a similar outcome, that they would press really hard for 10 or 15 minutes and then RSL would gain control again. That didn't happen though as the fatigue from Wednesday night started to set in.
Despite the pressure, it never really felt out of hand. There were a couple of times that I wanted to avert my eyes though, as RSL gave up some dangerous set piece opportunities late in the match. Brad Davis and the Dynamo specialize in these. There was one in particular, either late in regulation or in stoppage time, where Davis had pretty much a straight on look at the goal. I wrapped my scarf around my face in panic, but couldn't resist having a peek. RSL's wall stood firm though, repelling the attack and holding on to the 1-0 win.
So certainly Saturday night wasn't the Claret and Cobalt's best performance or finest hour. In my mind, the fatigue from Wednesday took it's toll, and one has to remember that Kyle Beckerman has basically been playing two matches per week for the last 6 weeks. He was also carrying a knock. Kreis said post game that he will look to rest the RSL captain in training this week.
But it was Beckerman's own post game comments that resonated with me. He mentioned that the team was really focused on keeping the clean sheet, and it showed. Late goals cost RSL points against Sporting, New York, and Colorado. RSL was in position to win all three of those games, but only took one point. Saturday night the defense, bolstered by the return of Wingert, Beltran, and Salcedo, clamped down on a dangerous Dynamo attack and held all three points. It WAS one of their finest hours and a job well done.
So with that in mind, here are the Puddle's Three Stars for Saturday Night:
THIRD STAR--Carlos Salcedo, CB, RSL: I just can't get enough of this kid. Salcedo has been a complete revelation this year out of the Academy. We could have been in big trouble with Schuler and Kwame out, but this kid has not only stepped in, but he has stepped UP. He did have one bad give away in the first half, but he got back to help limit the chance, and it didn't hamper his effort for the rest of the match.
SECOND STAR--Olmes Garcia, F, RSL: Olmes didn't have any goals Saturday night, but the Dynamo really couldn't handle him, hence the fouls and the PK. The great thing about this kid is that he's only going to get better. We'll see if the league adjusts to him.
FIRST STAR--Ned Grabavoy, MF, RSL: Ned is very quietly having a career year, and it's a testament to him that it's been so quiet. He steps in anywhere and everywhere and does whatever is asked of him. Saturday night he missed one pass out of 42. Insane.
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