With Houston Dynamo's win Sunday against intrastate rival FC Dallas, Houston put an end to its three-game losing streak. But the Orange also said goodbye to two members of the team, at least for the short term.
Forward Brian Ching and midfielder Ricardo Clark will be joining the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which could run to June 24, depending on how far the USA advances. Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario missed Sunday's game because he is already with the Canadian national team for the continental championship.
With those three players gone, Houston is losing a big part of its offense as De Rosario, Ching and Clark have combined for six of the Dynamo's seven goals scored this season.
"Three good players. There's a reason why they are playing for their countries because they are three good players," said head coach Dominic Kinnear.
"It takes away from our depth, and it takes from our quality. It gives some minutes and chances to other people. You don't have a 10 or 11-man squad. You have an 18-man squad. We will be tested these next couple weeks, but no matter what we talk about, it doesn't mean Dwayne, Brian or Rico are coming through that door tomorrow, so we need to get on with our business."
Against FC Dallas, Clark scored the game-tying goal and then assisted on Joseph Ngwenya's game-winning goal in the 66th minute. The win for the Orange was that much better because it was a proper sendoff for Ching and Clark.
"It feels good," said midfielder Richard Mulrooney. "If we would have lost them, then gotten a loss or tie (Sunday), it would have been tough to come back. I'm not saying we wouldn't have, but it's obviously on our minds. To send them off with a win, and to get some players some experience today such as Corey (Ashe) ... he's going to probably fill in one of the spots whether it be a sub or starter."
Since the three players are gone for at least four games, Dynamo will be looking to fill the holes they leave behind. Ashe came in against the Hoops in the 62nd minute and provided an instant spark, getting an assist on the game-winning goal.
That impact is something Ashe wanted to make and hopes to during the absences of the three regulars.
"It's pretty much the same thing every game and that's to make an impact," Ashe said. "These guys are battling. The last couple weeks have been frustrating. I just wanted to throw myself out there and give the team all I've got. We work hard each day in practice. I figure if I can go in and make a difference (that would be great). Everyone's legs are tired, and I can be that extra guy off the bench to give it all I've got."
Ashe is not the only guy who is going to need to step up. The team as a whole knows they have to take their play to another level, and it will start Thursday against Colorado.
"Guys are going to have to step it up," Mulrooney said. "Ching, there's a reason why he's on the (U.S.) national team. He scores a lot of goals. He's a really good player. Someone is going to have to step it up. Not do exactly what he does, but guys have an opportunity to start when he's gone and show that they can make a difference on this team as well."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
