The Texian Army show their support as the players walk out on to the field at BBVA Compass Stadium
Photo: Thomas Gosse (Prost Amerika)
With Columbus tamed, Dynamo look to roar past Lions and Kaka
by Scott Nicholls (@scottnicholls)
Houston, Texas — After overcoming a very good Columbus Crew SC side that a lot of pundits have tipped to fare well this MLS season, the Houston Dynamo welcome Orlando City SC and former World Player of the Year Kaka to BBVA Compass Stadium.
Orlando City SC poses a more… well… unpredictable threat, shall we say. The Lions have only played one MLS game against fellow expansion team for 2015 New York City FC. Both sides are littered with good players, but with both teams existing just 90 minutes each so far in MLS it’s hard to predict quite how good they are.
Let’s look back to the Charleston Challenge Cup. The Dynamo ran out victorious that day 3-0, helped certainly by two Orlando City red cards. Aurelien Collin was ejected in the 29th minute after bringing down Boniek Garcia for a penalty, and Carlos Rivas in the 64th for raising his arm and striking Luis Garrido in the face.
Boniek Garcia was undoubtedly the man of the match, playing in the number 10 role behind Will Bruin. Boniek played a part in all three goals directly assisting Bruin and Miranda, while winning the penalty that Brad Davis slotted home.
This time around Orlando will already be without Aurelien Collin after the big-man was sent off for a two footed lunge vs NYCFC in the Lions home opener. The only worry for the Dynamo as of Thursday morning’s practice session is Raul Rodriguez. The Spaniard was withdrawn late in the win over Columbus with a hamstring complaint as a precaution. My feeling is he starts alongside Jermaine Taylor regardless.
Keys to the game:
Play the ball to Boniek Garcia early and often
This is important. If you watch the game versus Columbus, and the preseason game versus Orlando, the Dynamo are most effective when Boniek is on the ball. Playing in the number 10 role draws players IN to where he is playing allowing DaMarcus Beasley and Kofi Sarkodie to get forward more easily and more often. It’s how the Dynamo ended up overcoming the problems they were having breaking down Columbus’ pressing game in their home opener.
2) Shut down Brek Shea and Kaka
We know the USMNT international had a rathe tumultuous time upon his move to England. He amassed about 17 appearances between three clubs in England before moving back to MLS to play with Orlando City SC. However, his form for the USMNT has been getting sharper and sharper. Shea is an adept — not great — crosser of the ball, but it is his speed on the overlap that is his real weapon. The Dynamo’s wide pitch will play right into his hands so it is paramount that Kofi Sarkodie get help from players like Boniek Garcia on the defensive side of the ball when.
Oh yeah then there’s that “Former FIFPro World Footballer of the Year, and Ballon d’Or winner” guy Kaka. Kaka is a prototypical number 10 but don’t let that fool you into thinking that his role in this team is that disciplined. Kaka will likely drop deep to come and get the ball from Okugo and Higuita and quarterback the play from there. We all know what Peyton Manning and Tom Brady can do when you give them time and space — it’s the same for Kaka. If i’m Owen Coyle i’d be slathering Luis Garrido in pine tar and throwing him at Kaka. That’s one way of stopping him, right?
3) Keep the ball on the ground
Will Bruin is 6’2 and Giles Barnes is 6’0. However last season between them, Bruin and Barnes scored just two headed goals between them. The Dynamo’s winner against Columbus came from a low ball into the box from Kofi Sarkodie, allowing Giles Barnes to power home with his right foot. Barnes scored 9 goals with his right foot last season, 1 with his head, and only won 41% of his aerial duels last season. Bruin was even worse, winning just 29.41% of them.
If the Dynamo can keep the service into their feet, Barnes and Bruin will thrive. High crosses into the box from wide areas will not work in the Dynamo’s favour.
Houston Dynamo versus Orlando City SC is at 6pm central time Friday, March 13th.
TV: Unimas — national coverage.
Expected Line-ups:
Houston: GK Deric; DF Sarkodie, Rodriguez, Taylor, Beasley; MF Boniek, Clark, Garrido, Davis (c); FW Barnes, Bruin.
Orlando: GK Ricketts; Ramos, St Ledger, Hines, Shea; MF Okugo, Higuita, Molino, Neal, Kaka (c); FW Rivas.
Houston injuries: None.
Houston Suspended: None.
Orlando Injuries: Martin Paterson
Orlando Suspended: Aurelien Collin (through March 15).
