After securing their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs last week with a good result against D.C. United, Houston Dynamo came into Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday looking to improve on their late-season form.
Getting a result against a Real Salt Lake team pushing to fill the last playoff spot in the West proved to be no easy task. After going up on a goal from Scotland native Paul Dalglish in the first half, Dynamo gave away the equalizer midway through the second half.
Dynamo captain Wade Barrett felt good about the way his team came into the game because he felt that even though reaching the postseason had been accomplished, the season was not yet over.
"We came in with the right approach to the game," said Barrett. "I know we clinched a playoff spot last weekend and I know they were pushing this weekend, but these two games for us were very important, tonight and next week.
"Number one, wanting to get three points out of every game and having a bit of professional pride. Number two, not limping into the playoffs with us building some momentum with the win last weekend and building some steam going into the playoffs."
Due to the absence of several regular team members -- defender Eddie Robinson was suspended, Alejandro Moreno was injured but still an available substitute, Dwayne De Rosario was given the night off to rest -- players such as Dalglish were given the opportunity to prove their worth.
A recent transfer from Scottish Premier League side Hibernian FC, Dalglish was making only his second start for Dynamo.
He was the main source of concern for the RSL defense early on, creating a pair of chances before scoring in the 20th minute. Ricardo Clark slipped a ball behind the back line that Dalglish was able to pound inside the near post.
"He [RSL defender Jack Stewart] was really tight to me, so I thought I could just turn him," said Dalglish. "The goalie left his near post and luckily enough for me it went in."
Houston coach Dominic Kinnear spoke well of the play of his new striker.
"He was spinning in the channels nice," said Kinnear. "He was giving them some problems with the timing of his runs. The balls to him were nice as well. It was a good goal by him. He had a good spell up front tonight. He looked very dangerous and very active."
Kinnear reminded his players at halftime that Salt Lake would come out with an immense amount of pressure because of their need to push for the win. Fouls early in the half caused Dynamo to get trapped in their defensive third and absorb the RSL push.
"Our fouls early in the second half put us in a defensive posture as far as defending our box rather than defending up the field," said Kinnear. "Overall, we had that 10-minute spell ... where they were just piling on the pressure and that's where they scored. If you take that 10 minutes away and I thought we were very good tonight."
During those 10 minutes RSL rookie Mehdi Ballouchy cranked a 20-yard blast through a crowded penalty area and into the far side netting.
The draw might not have been ideal for Dynamo but they will use their remaining match at home against Colorado -- who will be playing for its playoff life -- to prepare for a successful run in the postseason.
And although he's only been in the league a few months, Dalglish understands the importance of Dynamo making the playoffs in their first year in Houston.
"Every game's a big game at this stage of the season," said Dalglish. "We need to keep our form and keep playing well. Everyone's playing for a place to play in the playoffs now. So, every game's a big game."
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
