Andrew Tarbell, kneeling, Eric Sviatchenko, center, and Obafemi Awodesu, 24 are in disbelief as another costly turnover in the back leads to an easy goal en route to a 4-1 defeat. [Chris Jones | The Bayoucitian]

Dynamo shell-shocked 4-1 at home

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HOUSTON – In this early part of the season, one thing is clear: the Houston Dynamo’s defensive prowess of the past couple of seasons is a relic of the past. Two games into the MLS season, the Houston Dynamo have conceded six goals. Last season, it took Houston until the sixth game of the season to concede that same amount.

The previous year, Houston conceded a total of 39 goals. On Sunday afternoon, Houston conceded four goals to a Messi-less Inter Miami, leading to a 4-1 loss. The lackluster performance followed last week’s 2-1 loss to FC Dallas, leading to a winless and point-less start to the season after two games.

“We were outcoached. We got outcompeted. Not a good recipe,” said Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen on his side’s loss.

The roster turnover of key players Hector Herrera, Coco Carasquilla, Micael, and Steve Clark and its impact on Houston has been written about ad naseum by local and national media. On Sunday, the absence of the foursome was felt, but none more than in the backline.

In the 6th minute, Houston got caught trying to get out of its half, but an errant pass deflected straight to Miami for the game’s first goal—the second such turnover in as many games for Houston. In the second half, Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez carved up the Dynamo defense for the Heron’s fourth goal. The goal is a pretty good indication of where the team’s defense is at this juncture of the season.

The Dynamo have caused fires, and this year, they don’t have an extinguisher like they did in Micael a season ago. Olsen alluded to as much after the game.

“We weren’t in the greatest positions as we were attacking to be safe and have the same structure and balance to put out fires,” said Olsen. “We don’t have Micael to put out fires. So, we need to learn that part.”

But beyond the mistakes, at the end of the day, Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen chalked to it another key indicator.

“What’s disappointing to me is we just didn’t have fire in the belly,” said Olsen. “I don’t understand how that is somehow okay for our team. So, that’s the message in there [the locker room].”

Olsen added that the team can improve the soccer components, but if the team doesn’t have that ‘fire,’ it won’t have a chance.

Houston’s stingy defense over the past couple of seasons is one of the reasons it had a resurgence in the standings and the trophy case when it won the 2023 U.S. Open Cup Final 2-1 over Inter Miami. Houston conceded 39 and 38 goals in the past two seasons. So, how does Houston get back to that level of defense?

Franco Escobar, right, played 55 minutes in his first game of the season.[Chris Jones | The Bayoucitian]
For Olsen, it starts with getting two of his best defensive players, Franco Escobar and Erik Sviatchenko, match fit.

“It’s been a weird preseason for me, and I’m disappointed that I can’t get to that full fitness,” said Sviatchenko.

While both players started Sunday’s match, neither finished the game. Sviatchenko played the first half, being replaced at halftime with Ethan Barthlow, while Escobar exited in the 55th minute. Sviatchenko was on the field for three of the four goals and said what hurt the most was the ease with which Miami scored. After the game, he didn’t mince words about what the team needed to do.

“It’s a bad feeling right now, and we need to regroup,” said Sviatchenko. “We’re in a phase where we’re struggling.”

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