1ST HALF (0-0)
This one started off like a midweek matchup would. Both teams wanting to make sure they played but not really wanting to be there. This showed more on the Dynamo side, I thought. Lazy defending, errant passing. Crew actually played pretty well by their new standards and probably should have had a goal.
As it went, both sides got away with not needing a goal (whew!). Telling sign of low intensity level was when the ref just called it on the strike of 45'.
2ND HALF (1-0)
Houston got things going after Tony Tchani fouled Corey Ashe just outside the box. Brad Davis stepped up and supplied Will Bruin all the cross he needed to put one away off what looked like his back. Regardless, goal scorers find ways.
Not long after head coach Gregg Berhalter started inserting subs to help try and improve his team's goal scoring chances. On came Paladini for the first time this year for Viana (who had a good game, also in his first appearance). From there Justin Meram came on for a tired Oduro. Finally, big Adam Bedell replaced right back Josh Williams.
Things got a little sloppy and Houston probably could have had another if they needed it because the Crew looked very leaky with only three in the back.
GAME OVER (1-0)
Crew looked plain tired and frustrated towards the end of the game. I'd say that this was because it was a midweek match up but they've looked pretty tired last 15-20 minutes of past few matches during this winless run of now six games.
Postgame quotes from Gregg Berhalter seem to indicate that he is ready for course-correction. Sounds like it is going to come by way of being more assertive and critical of individual play but I wouldn't be surprised to see some lineup changes and tweaks to tactics.
Either way, results have to improve for the team to progress. This isn't a youth team, they are professionals with careers on the line.
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