Dynamo explode for 4-0 victory in Houston

Sep 21, 2012, 8:30 AM EDT

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Times have been tough in Houston recently. The Dynamo are just 1-2-3 in their last six MLS games, a stretch that has seen them fall from a sure-thing playoff spot in the Eastern Conference to gamely holding on for fifth. Aye carumba!

But their fortunes in the CONCACAF Champions League are much better. On Thursday night, the Dynamo dispatched FAS with ease, winning 4-0 (highlights here).

Former Derby County Young Player of the Year Giles Barnes was the early hero, scoring from distance. After that, it was the Cam Weaver show as the Reserve League forward snatched a goal and two assists.

“Any games I have a chance to get minutes in I’m happy,” Weaver told MLSSoccer.com. “Finding your form takes game minutes and if you’re just training and not getting game minutes it’s hard to keep your form up. I’m happy to get a goal, couple of assists and to help the team. I think we pretty much accomplished everything we wanted to accomplish for the team.”

Good quote, Cam. Moving on: Success in the Champions League is fun, but maybe not the ticket the Dynamo need right now. They have a playoff fight on their hands, a point clear of the Columbus Crew and one behind D.C. United. The East is tiiiiiiiight up top and any slip up means the Dynamo will miss out on postseason action. That would be a shame; that stadium is so nice. Luckily, Houston plays at the Union and host New England over the next nine days. Can you say six points?

But… if the tired legs prevail — many regulars played big minutes against FAS — our man Dominic Kinnear might look back and sigh. Was making the CCL quarterfinals worth i?

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lonestarv - Sep 21, 2012 at 9:30 AM

Noah – you make it sound like 9 of 11 starters played 80+ minutes.

Boswell and Hainault are the only starters that began the game and played the full 90. Those guys are machines – not worried at all there. Ching started and played 70, so he may not be up for his usual final 20-25 minutes he usually puts in on Sunday at Philly. Carr is the only other regular that played, and that as a second half sub.

Hall, Davis, Ashe, Bruin, R. Clark, Garcia, Kandji, Taylor are all starters that will be going on Sunday with 8 days rest. Ashe of course is dealing with a hammy…

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tylerbetts - Sep 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM

As a fan, I’d much rather my team qualify for the quarterfinals of CCL than do what they can to latch on to the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference for MLS Cup.

As a fan, I’d rather my team try to get a home-and-home aggregate series with a Mexican club than a one-game playoff at DC.

Either way, people are going to second-guess your choices. If you go all-in on CCL and get thrashed by a Mexican side in the quarters, and miss out on MLS Cup, you’re an idiot. If you go all-in on qualifying for MLS-Cup, but get bounced on the road in the WC round without providing a home game for your team, and miss out on the CCL quarters – well, you’re an idiot in that case, too.

Me? I like winning something. I’d rather say “We topped our group in CCL” than “we got to fifth place in the East” if I can only have one of the two.

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