For Houston Dynamo, last weekend's MLS season opener against the Los Angeles Galaxy meant a lot of things.
It was the start of Dynamo's second season in Houston, it was the start of the MLS Cup champions' title defense -- and it was the return of goalkeeper Pat Onstad, who hadn't played a competitive match since Feb. 21 because of a calf injury.
After Sunday's draw with the Galaxy, Onstad said he enjoyed being back on the field.
"I'm getting (healthier), but it's a little bit tougher at my age," the 39-year old veteran said. "I'm enjoying it. It's kind of funny because at my age, I'm beginning to enjoy each and every moment more."
While Onstad was out, Zach Wells was in goal for two wins for Dynamo in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, but the Orange were happy to see their No. 1 goalkeeper return.
"It was great having Pat back," defender Ryan Cochrane said. "He's the old veteran. He gives you a lot more confidence being back there. You know he can always come up with the big saves like he did a couple times (Sunday).
"Pat's a mentor, and especially to me only being in this league a few years, he's back there teaching me. It's great to have him back."
Against the Galaxy, Onstad only made two saves, one in each half, but he showed he was ready to play, coming out of the area numerous times to knock the ball away from the Galaxy to stop any chance of scoring.
The two saves he made were pretty spectacular as well, making a diving save on a Landon Donovan shot in the 14th minute and making another diving stop on a Nate Jaqua header in the second half.
"It's awesome having Pat back in goal," said defender Craig Waibel. "You never doubt his decisions because he is so educated coming off his line, and he made that save in the second half. That is a top notch save and a save you see only once or twice a year.
"It's a tremendous confidence boost knowing you have him out there. We can take more risks. You saw in the first half where Donovan went by Cochrane, and we can go out there and attempt to stop him because Pat is back there, and we feel that he is going to make the save like he did."
Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said that Onstad brings a lot of different dimensions to the game.
"He doesn't go outside an area a goalkeeper should, and he's a great communicator," Kinnear said. "You saw (Sunday) the great saves he makes. He doesn't make mistakes, and he's very reliable."
Onstad has been credited with 50 wins in his MLS career and played every minute in goal for Dynamo in each of the past two seasons. One of the lasting images from Houston's championship season was of Onstad running up the field with the ball in his hands after stopping the final penalty kick attempt by New England in the MLS Cup Final.
There was a moment during Sunday's match where Onstad bent down to stretch out his legs, but he said he "was just cramping up because I hadn't played awhile."
Even though Dynamo couldn't get a goal past Joe Cannon in the Los Angeles net, Onstad kept the Galaxy at bay to help Houston get one point. For the first game, Onstad was pleased with everything.
"Overall, I was pleased the way I played," Onstad said. "I haven't modified anything for the last two or three weeks, and I felt like I was 100 percent coming into tonight's match."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
