Metro squeezes out a 1:0 win over Houston
October 4, 2014
Let's face it, the last couple of weeks sucked. The elimination from CONCACAF, the awful loss to LA, followed by the turbulent rumors of Red Bull selling, the backtracking announcement of Thierry Henry leaving, and Tim Cahill complaining. All that, while the team is fighting for a playoff spot. Was a win needed badly! Well, a win we got, as Metro triumphed 1:0 over Houston.
Jamison Olave's suspension for yellow card accumulation meant that Armando had to step into central defense. Chris Duvall was benched, as Richard Eckersley made his first league start since March at right back. Cahill was removed for Lloyd Sam, back from his injury.
Metro completely dominated the first half, and were unlucky not to break through. Woodwork was hit twice. First, a Sam shot was parried by the Houston keeper. Bradley Wright-Phillips, who had destroyed the Dynamo defense numerous times before, hit the rebound off the woodwork. At the end of the period, it was Henry's turn to hear a ricochet, as his blistering free kick hit the upper side of the crossbar.
The lone goal came two minutes after the break. Metro won the ball in midfield, and Sam sprung up his usual right side. As he often does so well, the Englishman took the ball into the box and centered it, where it took a small deflection and landed with an unmarked, onrushing Henry. The brilliant Frenchman had an easy tap-in.
Houston woke up after the match, but the Metro defense, as well as the midfield pairing of Dax McCarty and Eric Alexander, did their job. The Dynamo was often limited to taking long useless shots, and any attempts into the the penalty area were easily closed down.
The lone black mark of the match was a straight red card to Cahill. It came in the 88th, just three minutes after he entered game. The Aussie tackled Oscar Boniek Garcia with both feet, and while the Houston player deserved an acting award for his flopping, one can't help but wonder where Cahill's head is at the moment.
So, we needed a win badly, and a win we got. Next week: much of the same, we hope...
Lineup: Robles, Miller, Armando, Sekagya, Eckersley, McCarty, Alexander, Luyindula, Sam, Wright-Phillips, Henry. Subs: Cahill, Perrinelle, Christianson.
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