Despite numerous scoring opportunities and great play from both sides of the ball, the Houston Dynamo were unable to find the back of the net against a solid Columbus Crew defense as they continue to search for their first win on the 2008 season.
"The play was more in our favor, but you don't always get what you deserve in soccer," said Houston head coach Dominic Kinnear after the game. "It's not all about playing well, it's about scoring goals."
The only goal of the game was scored in the 22nd minute by the Crew's Alejandro Moreno, who was traded from Houston to Columbus last year. Since his departure, Moreno has haunted his former team, scoring three goals in three meetings.
Houston staged a barrage of attacks and scoring chances on the Crew defense, but were unlucky in finding the back of the net. It seemed that each time they pushed into the box, the ball would be deflected or end up in the hands of Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer.
"I know we are disappointed right now, but I can't say it's because we aren't playing good soccer. Sometimes you're [getting] the breaks and sometimes you're not. Right now we are getting punished for mistakes," said Kinnear.
The best chance by the Dynamo get on a rather odd sequence in the 35th minute. De Rosario sent a cross into the middle which was missed by Hesmer coming off his line.
Dynamo forward Franco Caraccio nearly turned the ball over the line from the close range, but Columbus defenders Brian Carroll and Danny O'Rourke were able to smother the ball in a scrum right in front of the net, allowing their goalkeeper time to recover and dive on the ball before it could cross the line.
It obviously is not the type of start that Kinnear and his club was looking for after winning back-to-back MLS Cups. Still, Kinnear said his team would not let a slow start ruin the potential of a great 2008.
"We have to stick together; we can't let our heads drop too low for too long at this point," he said. "But I know this group and I know we'll bounce back."
De Rosario also spoke about his team's start -- remembering the Orange struggled out of the gate last year and still won the MLS Cup for a second consecutive season.
"No, it's nothing new, but we don't want to make it a habit," he said. "It's a long season. We try not to get our heads too far down and just try to focus and get ready for next weekend. We are doing everything we need to do; we're just not getting a lucky break.
Goalkeeper Pat Onstad played a good game in the net for Houston, returning to the lineup after missing two starts with a shoulder injury.
"I thought the guys played well tonight. We were talking before the game we wanted to be organized and communicate better than we have in the past and the guys for the most part did a very good job of that," he said.
The loss finished off three consecutive road matches for the Dynamo, with two draws coming before Saturday's loss. After being on the road, home cooking smells good for the Dynamo as they will spend the next two weeks at home.
"I think we have the best fans, bar none, in the league," said defender Richard Mulrooney. "It's refreshing to know that we are going to be back at Robertson next Saturday night in front of our crowd and we'll take advantage of it."
A good night's sleep in their own beds will do wonders for a worn-out Houston team. Returning home just might be what the Dynamo need to get back to their winning ways.
Ryan Bergeman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
