LA Galaxy Vs Houston Dynamo: 3 things we learned – NYCFC clinch third
By Harvey Cruz
2. Tab Ramos’ gameplan almost perfect
The Houston Dynamo were so close. Tab Ramos was mere minutes away from his first victory as Dynamo coach and had set up his team well enough to absorb the pressure from the Galaxy and counter sharply.
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They were happy to let their opponent have possession. Houston knew they could spring on the counter or take advantage from set-piece situations, which was exactly the case in the first half with Darwin Quintero’s free-kick leaving David Bingham rooted to the spot.
But this beautiful game can be cruel at times, and with Cristian Pavon’s penalty nestling in the corner of the net, the Houston Dynamo will now join their opponents on the flight back home from Orlando.
It was the ideal gameplan from Ramos, one that his team executed superbly against the best team in the league, LAFC, to secure a 3-3 draw in their opening fixture. If not for a bit of luck in the dying moments, it would have worked again here. They will rue the missed opportunities, yes, but Ramos has proven that he knows how to build a gameplan that the players can deliver.