Houston Dynamo Vs Orlando City SC: 3 things to watch – The Dom Dwyer resurgence
2. The Houston Dynamo counter-attack
The Houston Dynamo suffered a last-minute defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps after equalizing only twelve minutes prior. Much has been rightfully made about the Dynamo’s struggling attack. Once poised to be a lethal front three, the Dynamo have scored one goal or less in six of their last ten matches. Making matters worse for the Dynamo, they have only three clean sheets on the season. No team has fewer.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Interim head coach Davy Arnaud may find some — emphasis on some — solace knowing that Orlando will be looking to come in all guns blazing. This will inevitably open up opportunities on the counter-attack. In addition, Orlando City SC’s strategy of utilizing their full-backs in possession will open up space out wide for Houston to exploit.
The Dynamo still possess very dangerous threats going forward. Mauro Manotas, Alberth Elis, and Memo Rodriguez have combined for 26 of the Dynamo’s 41 goals this season. The real crux of the Dynamo’s woes this season has been the inability to make the most out of the opportunities provided to them in attack. They have amassed 128 shots on goal but have struggled over the past few months to put the ball in the back of the net.
Conversely, Orlando City have had situations where the defense has switched off or were easily broken down on the counter-attack. Both Robin Jansson and Lamine Sane have been stalwarts at the back for most of 2019, but even they have not been devoid of mistakes. For all the progress defensively that Orlando City have made in 2019, there are still weaknesses that can be taken advantage of by Manotas and Houston’s attack.
Again, knowing that O’Connor is going to look to control the match early on, Houston will need to stymie Orlando’s attack and get the ball into space rapidly. If Houston are to come out on top, however, Manotas will likely be the one to lead the charge.