With their ninth starting lineup in as many games, the Houston Dynamo shut out Orlando City FC, 4-0. Houston stays undefeated at home, meaning Orlando needed to throw away the stats sheets preparing for this MLS match.
Orlando City looked weary playing their third game in just eight days. Still, they bested the Houston Dynamo 81%-73% in passing accuracy and 57.2%-42.8% in possession. But the Dynamo made it count near the Orlando goal, especially in the second half.
Tired Visitor
F Alberth Elis scored the Dynamo’s first-half goal in the 23rd minute. At that moment, Houston had all the shots in the game, three. Orlando had answered with only one cross.
The Dynamo’s visitors warmed up a little in the second half, overlooking the score. Credit some of that improvement to G Joe Bendik, who found his grip for six total saves.
Not all good teams facing Houston will come drained by their schedule. The Dynamo won’t have an all-home playoff. So the team still has some work.
Takeaways
1) Keep adjusting the formation
But don’t forget the defense early in the game. The team will have three straight road games beginning May 17 to work on that. They’ll need to bring home some points. Coach Wilmer Cabrera said in his post game conference he’ll review formation schemes to match opponents, not just marry the club to the wild 4-3-3 offensive scheme used Saturday.
2) Keep working the lineups, especially on the road
Coach Wilmer Cabrera has kept key players in competition for starts to begin the season. In the post game, he committed to keep choosing his lineup according to what players do best. He also hinted he’ll choose different lineups to match different formations.
"Cabrera: “We have guys with an attacking mentality. We know we have to develop, to try to explode not only here at home but, hopefully, when we have an away game.”"
3) Keep helping the D no matter what
Preparing a variety of game schemes may temporarily baffle opponents. Yet Orlando still got off four good shots on target. They matched the Dynamo on crosses, plus two. Houston G Joe Willis could have suffered like Orlando’s netminder, save for spirited defensive help from his team. Keep that momentum.
Next: Return to Timbers for Lucas Melano?
This is the point in the season the Dynamo can prove they have what it takes on the road. They have three shots to do that beginning May 17. Cabrera has the plan. They players must carry it out.