For the Dynamo Reserves, what a difference one year makes.
While Sunday's reserve match with Chivas USA was not exactly the stuff legends are made of, the 1-1 tie did prove to the Dynamo Reserves, many of whom are second-year professionals, that they have come a long way from last year's 11th-place finish.
"To get a tie is great for us because last year, I don't think we would've done that," second-year midfielder John Michael Hayden. "This year's team, we're looking a lot stronger and feeling better."
Despite dominating the game, the Dynamo trailed 1-0 after Chivas USA scored with a clinical passing sequence in the 54th minute. Reserves coach John Spencer shifted the squad from a 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3 formation, and the Dynamo created numerous chances in the final 20 minutes.
Houston finally tied the game when Geoff Cameron drew a foul near the right corner, and Hayden's free kick found Cameron for a header at the top of the box.
"I took the free kick, and I was looking for the trees in there - I saw [Craig] Waibel and Geoff, those two are the tall guys I look for," Hayden said.
Although the Dynamo did not get the win - Chris Wondolowski hit the post in the first half, and both Hayden and Kyle Brown came close to scoring on other occasions - they remained unbeaten at 1-0-1 for the year, and Spencer said he was pleased with the performance.
"I felt the result was a little bit harsh on us," Spencer said. "It was a physical game, and our guys stood up to the physical challenge, and in the last 10 minutes of the game, Chivas were hanging on for the point, so I was extremely proud of the performance."
The Dynamo Reserves will return to action Sunday at 10 a.m. against Colorado, again at Robertson Stadium. The Rapids are the two-time defending MLS Reserve Division champions and have seen several reserves make major contributions to the first team this season.
"Colorado is definitely one of the best reserve teams every year, and their guys do get some experience with the first team," Hayden said. "It is a motivational factor to play against those guys and show coaches around the league that we can play against first-teamers."
With Hayden, central midfield partner Nick Hatzke, defenders Erik Ustruck and Stephen Wondolowski, and winger Corey Ashe all in their second year, the players have made significant adjustments to the professional game.
"I think physically and mentally this year we are better prepared as young professionals," Spencer said. "We're doing a lot of physical running, which the guys have been tremendous at, and I think it showed in the last two performances that they're starting to get grips with the professional game."
