Houston Dynamo vs. Atlanta United FC: Recap and five things learned

Houston Dynamo supporters got a new methodical team. Also, they saw the wild, attacking strategy they love. Both March 3 efforts shut out Atlanta United FC.

The Houston Dynamo came out the first half Saturday attacking at all costs – including possession time. They scored four goals against Atlanta United FC.

The second half, Houston players demonstrated almost complete control and defense. No score for either team.

Night and day or first half/second half

The Dynamo got off 10 total shots in the first half. Atlanta answered with seven, only one on goal.

In the second half, the Dynamo only three more shots. They met six more shots from Atlanta. But only one of those shots on goal.

Dynamo G Chris Seitz – new to the team but seasoned in MLS – finished with only two saves. Yet he worked hard. And only part of that hard work came from being the new guy in goal.

Whenever Atlanta players broke through to Houston’s defensive area, Seitz went on the move. His enthusiasm got him into a little trouble. He caused a penalty kick from Josef Martinez. He went airborne in the direction of the kick. But it hit the left post anyway.

Then Seitz drew a yellow card for taking too much time in the second half. But Seitz showed he met Houston’s goaltender requirements, no matter which team appears. Or both. If that ever changes, the team still has G Joe Willis ready to take the position.

Five things learned

1. Houston Dynamo players still know how to focus on attack. And this still works in their 4-3-3 formation. They’ve also demonstrated equally effective ball-control strategy in this game’s second half. Can the players execute a hybrid strategy, using both schemes?
2. Atlanta United FC knows how to work their 4-2-3-1 formation. But Houston’s two strategies knocked opposing players off-balance. They must develop an effective and creative counter-attack to get on-beam.
3. Goalkeepers on both teams worked hard. They need more help from defenders. Houston’s Seitz hyper-focus forced a penalty kick and yellow card. Atlanta’s Guzan worked himself into defensive errors that gave up the ball too often and allowed a score.
4. Atlanta had a decent midfield game. Their passing accuracy looked strong at 825. But they attempted 169 more passes than Houston.  Ultimately, players must work on developing better results after the pass.  And that requires creativity.
5. Houston’s midfield game showed dramatic improvement over last year’s. They repeatedly shot past Atlanta players. They advanced on their goal with no offsides calls for the game. The possession deficit would worry coaches and supporters except for the shutout. Also, both attack and control strategies for the Dynamo involved a compact – and fascinating – opening game.

In-game observations

With Houston dedicating the second half to complete ball-control, Atlanta desperately sought an advantage.

They beat Houston in possession 59.1%-40.9%. They edged in passing accuracy 84%-78%.

Atlanta United FC’s crucial second half failures came in squandered opportunities. Too often, on long balls by G Brad Guzan, Atlanta players attempted duels that delivered the ball right to the Dynamo.

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The visitors came out strong early in the second half. The team nearly equaled the Dynamo on duels won in the first half, 22-25. They got sloppy and finished the game 46-58.

At one point, G Guzan gave up the long ball and attempted a short pass instead. He curved it across the end line, giving Houston a corner kick opportunity.

A hint to Atlanta United FC’s growing frustration actually came in first-half stoppage time.  After a handball D Franco Escobar, Houston M Boniek Garcia delivered the set piece kick to the goal mouth.

Guzan punched the ball away weakly. With his right foot, Houston M Darwin Cerén skimmed the ball between several Atlanta players into the right-bottom corner of the net. That was Houston’s fourth and final goal.

Houston Forwards Mauro Manotas and Alberth Elis vowed to rank as goal leaders this season. Manotas got his first in this game. While Elis didn’t score, he unselfishly delivered two assists that will keep him up front long enough to work on keeping his vow.

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Atlanta United FC will improve throughout the season. The players can ensure that by developing their in-game creativity.

The Houston Dynamo will continue to thrill supporters with their wild and focused attacks. And they proved the players can unleash a devastating ball-control game when the situation warrants.