Houston Dynamo saw their bid to win the Western Conference regular season dealt a serious blow Sunday in a 2-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy at Robertson Stadium. But while a chance to claim the conference title -- and the Supporters' Shield -- could be in jeopardy, Dynamo know they aren't out of contention yet.
Not being able to earn three points to once again pull level with Chivas USA hurt, but with two games left, the Orange know there is still plenty to play for.
"I don't want to say it eliminates us because anything can happen in this game, but we have to win our last two, and we certainly need them to lose a game," said Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who made five saves against the Galaxy. "(Chivas) are at a stage where they have like 10 wins without a loss, so they are looking pretty good. It will be pretty hard."
After Dynamo took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute on a goal by Nate Jaqua, L.A. fought back with goals by Carlos Pavon before the half and Gavin Glinton in the 77th minute to take the lead.
The Houston weather didn't help matters as off-and-on rain along with the heat and humidity caused for a steamy afternoon. It was Houston's first loss this season when scoring the first goal. They had been 12-0 entering the game.
"We are always looking for the early goal in games, and knowing what our record is when we score first, maybe that subconsciously came in, and we took the foot off the pedal a bit," said Dynamo midfielder Richard Mulrooney. "We played in this weather before. Can't say it's the weather. It's more of us not being able to stay focused for the full 90 instead of just the first 20 and the last 45."
The loss hurts even more because Dynamo did everything they wanted to do and felt like they dominated the game.
"It frustrates you tremendously because we do everything we usually do," said Houston defender Eddie Robinson. "We dominated the game, we moved the ball around, we got it wide. We're dangerous on our crosses, and that's our game. So now, you don't come out on top. You can't do much more. They got good players on their team, so they are going to get their chances. You cannot shut them out completely. That is almost impossible, especially with Landon Donovan out there.
"They got two chances. Guy got a wonder shot, and the second ball on a set piece. That was the difference in the day. The other 87 minutes of the game was one-sided. We're frustrated and disappointed, but we still have two games left, and we want to win the Western Conference. We have to get our heads straight and get ready for Salt Lake next week."
Houston had numerous chances to take the lead early in the second half with Joseph Ngwenya putting one wide in the 47th minute, and Corey Ashe bouncing one over a wide0open net later in the half.
Not being able to finish frustrated Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear.
"It always has to get better. You ask anyone what they would like to have, and it's a guy that can score three or four goals a game," Kinnear said. "I think we had some great chances. Joe's chance and Corey's chance -- that's the one that if the 'keeper pulls off a great save, you clap your hands to the 'keeper. You don't hit a goal with the chances we had there, that's just rushed or bad technique or both.
"We work on finishing every week. Things won't change. Nate got his goal, and that's great. In the second half, we had great looks we just didn't hit the target. I think when you rush, your body gets a little out of control, therefore, that leads to balls not hitting the frame."
Dynamo know they let one get away in front of the first sellout crowd in club history as 30,558 showed up for the final regular season home game of the year. The team hopes they will come back and help them in their quest for a second MLS Cup championship.
"Great crowd, great environment," Mulrooney said. "We had a 12th man out there, and we didn't take advantage of it. Hopefully, the fans will come back out here for our first playoff game. Seeing them out here helps us a run a little more, and I pat them on the back for being out here."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
