Dick's Sporting Good Stadium
Dick's Sporting Good Park, home of the Colorado Rapids. (Courtesy of the Houston Dynamo)

Alberth Elis dominates against Colorado Rapids, and other thoughts from Houston’s 4-1 win

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Alberth Elis torched the Colorado Rapids for a goal, and assist, and forced two own goals to lead the Houston Dynamo to a 4-1 road win.

Here are three observations from the game:

A convincing road win

Over the past two seasons, the Houston Dynamo and road win was not something you heard often. But Saturday against the Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, La Naranja flipped the switch on that narrative bossing Colorado — in Colorado.

The win keep Houston undefeated on the season to go along with three wins and a draw for 10 points on the season. Additionally, it gives Houston their best start in franchise history.

And while it’s too early in the season to consider this a statement win, it’s a good indication of what Houston is capable of on the road. Some of that has to be attributed to the opponent, who from the early looks of it the Rapids could be in for a long season.

Regardless, the Dynamo took care of business on the road. Something they haven’t done much of before this season.

Alberth Elis: Man of the Match

Besides a dominating win for the Dynamo, the other clear observation from the match was Elis having his way with the Rapids. Time after time the Honduran winger torched left back Dillon Serna to get behind the Rapid defense.

But even when Serna got help, Elis would outrun and outsmart them with quick passing.

It started in the fourth minute when Elis got the ball from Memo Rodriguez and sprinted towards goal. Elis spotted Rodriguez getting in the box and laid it off for him. Rodriguez took care of the rest, blasting into the back of the net for the 1-0.

The next two Dynamo scored were created by Elis but not in the traditional sense.

The goals were own goals by the Rapids but came about because Elis created space for himself on the right wing and crossed the ball into the box. On both occasions, the Rapids defender, in an effort to clear it, knocked into the back of the net.

Elis would finally get a goal of his own, and it came from a Dynamo passing sequence that shows the early growth of this team this season.

Midfield trio control game

The midfield trio of Boniek Garcia, Tomás Martínez, and Matías Vera kept the game tidy for the Dynamo.

Vera, in his first year with the Dynamo, is finding his footing in MLS. His short passing game helped the Dynamo keep possession.

Garcia, who many Dynamo fans have dubbed ‘El Presidente’ has provided a calming presence in midfield and has transitioned well into a box-to-box midfielder as age has caught up with him. This game was no exception.

The No. 10 for La Naranja, Martinez displayed some master ball control in the lead-up to the Dynamo’s fourth goal. The Argentinian, who’s entering his second full season with Houston, had two key passes and found himself in the right pockets of space.

Houston gets back to action April 13, when the San Jose Earthquakes come into town.