Houston Dynamo 4-3 San Jose Earthquakes: The Mike D’Antoni Game
By Ivan Ornelas
How would I describe this game? With a Game of Zones quote: “Half the Defense, Double the Offense”. Former Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni’s philosophy found its way to another local sports arena as neither Houston Dynamo nor San Jose Earthquakes seemed particularly interested in their defensive responsibility. This feast or famine approach meant feast for Dynamo as the 4-3 win took them up to 5th in the Western Conference at the time of the final whistle.
That leaves famine for San Jose, who have opened the 2022 MLS season with 6 winless games, including losses to Red Bulls, Union, and Minnesota United before this one. This streak could continue further with Nashville, Sounders, and New York City are up next on this schedule.
Sebas Ferreira and Jeremy Ebobisse each had a brace. Ebobisse’s brace eliminated an early deficit and gave the Quakes a platform for victory in the first half.
Ferreira’s goals bookended a Dynamo offensive effort that earned the 3 points on the night, as the Paraguayan DP opened his account for 2022. Houston broke their transfer record to sign him, and perhaps this is the game that starts the payoff. His goals were crucial in Houston accomplishing what their Texas rival Austin FC couldn’t do against the Quakes last week: beat them.
Houston Dynamo edged out San Jose in a thrilling MLS classic
If the attacking output had both sets of fans cheering, the defense provided agony and frustration. Fortunately for Houston, they have an MLS rarity: a defensive DP. Zimbabwe international Teenage Hadebe showed his value to the Dynamo scoring the third goal and putting out some of the fires on the other end. Unfortunately, he had to be subbed off due to injury where veteran Tim Parker, a 29 year old with 2 USMNT caps, carried the baton to the finish.
Francisco Calvo appeared most at fault for the San Jose Earthquakes defensively, but he along with a few other players were culpable of not closing down plays fast enough and reacting slowly to parried and blocked shots. It’s no secret that without their best defender Nathan struggle is inevitable, but Calvo needs to find a way to transfer his strong performances for Costa Rica to his club side.
In another fixture that looks to feature half the defense and double the offense, Houston Dynamo will host Portland Timbers in their next MLS fixture.
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Quick Match Report
Saturday, April 9, 2022 7:30 Local Start Time
Houston Dynamo 4-3 San Jose Earthquakes
8’ 1-0 Ferreira (Lundqvist)
25’ 1-1 Ebobisse (Cowell, Espinoza)
28’ 1-2 Ebobisse (Gregus)
43’ 2-2 Quintero
57’ 3-2 Hadebe
68’ 4-2 Ferreira (Picault, Dorsey)
77’ 4-3 Thompson
Yellow Cards
Dynamo: 18’ Quintero, 27’ Ferreira, 58’ Hadebe (celebration), 63’ Picault
Quakes: 20’ Marie, 22’ Lopez
Dynamo Lineup (4-3-3; Paulo Nagamura)
GK: Steve Clark (USA)
RB: Griffin Dorsey (USA)
CB: Ethan Bartlow (USA)
CB: Teenage Hadebe (ZIM/DP)
LB: Adam Lundqvist (SWE)
CDM: Matias Vera (ARG)
CM: Darwin Quintero (COL)
CM: Adalberto Carrasquilla (PAN)
RW: Tyler Pasher (CAN)
ST: Sebastián Ferreira (PAR/DP)
LW: Fafà Picault (USA)
Subs
71’ Thorleif Úlfarsson(ISL) for Ferreira and Memo Rodríguez (USA/HG) for Quintero
76’ Corey Baird (USA) for Pasher
88’ Tim Parker (USA) for Hadebe (injury) and Darwin Cerén(SLV) for Carrasquilla
Unused Subs: Michael Nelson, Sam Junqua, Zarek Valentin(PUR), Zeca(BRA)
Earthquakes Lineup (4-1-4-1; Matías Almeyda)
GK: JT Marcinkowski (HG)
RB: Paul Marie (FRA)
CB: Tanner Beason
CB: Francisco Calvo (CRC)
LB: Marcos López (PER)
CDM: Jackson Yueill (captain)
CDM: Ján Greguš (SVK)
RM: Cristian Espinoza (ARG) (DP)
CAM: Jamiro Monteiro (CPV)
LM: Cade Cowell (HG)
ST: Jeremy Ebobisse (CMR)
Subs
64’ Tommy Thompson for López and Eric Remedi (ARG) for Marie
69’ Ousseni Bouda (BFA) for Cowell
82’ Siad Haji (SOM) for Beason
Unused Subs: Matt Bersano, Jack Skahan, Oskar Agren(SWE), Niko Tsakiris (HG), Will Richmond (HG)