HOUSTON – Despite the lack of attacking prowess this season, the Houston Dynamo have something they can hang their hat on — their defense.
Against Sporting Kansas City, an eventual 1-0 loss, the Dynamo controlled the game defensively and kept the home side from creating anything short of a scoring opportunity. The game’s lone goal came as a result of an unlucky play.
In the 59th minute, Dynamo center back Daniel Stere’s clearance bounced off Dynamo winger Fafa Picault and straight to Johnny Russell’s path. The Scottish winger played a cross into Dániel Sallói, whose eventual shot ricochets off Dynamo defender Zarek Valentine. The ball falls to an open space where a rushing Remi Walter arrives and slots it into the back of the net.
In his first year with the Dynamo, Steve Clark, the veteran goalkeeper, said Houston could build on its solid defensive performances.
“As a team defensively, we’re performing well, you know. I think that, as you build a team and as we take steps as a team, it’s first to solidify the team defensively, and I can clean up anything which I’m doing which is important,” Clark said. “So I feel like we’re in a good spot moving forward.”
In the early part of the season, Houston has put a strong onus on establishing being an organized and defensive team.
“We hit the ground running from day one. So I feel like we are very cohesive already,” Clark said.
“And I know my center backs pretty well, their tendencies. I think we feel comfortable and confident together. And then also it’s not just the backline, you know, we’re prioritizing being a solid defensive team, and you’re seeing some of that, and we’re going to build towards, you know, getting those wins.
First-year head coach Paulo Nagamura said the best part of the Dynamo is their defensive foundation at this point in the season but admits it can keep improving.
Having a veteran goalkeeper like Clark will be a boost in that regard. The 35-year-old has made multiple deep playoff runs and MLS Cup appearances with the Portland Timbers, which required a team to be organized defensively.
Is it easier for a team under a new head coach to establish a solid defense-first before the offense?
“I think that could be answered by individual opinions, but the way I see it, it’s important to do that first,” Clark said. “And when you defend well, you always have a chance, and that’s where we are.”
Jesus Acevedo Jr. is the Editor-in-Chief of The Bayoucitian. He’s an award-winning bilingual journalist from Houston, TX. A graduate of the University of Houston, he has written for the Houston Chronicle, La Voz de Houston, MLSsoccer.com, and ProSoccerUSA.
Before becoming a journalist, Jesus spent his early 20s drumming his way across Houston with two bands — Shortcomings and InsertNameHere. The memories that Jesus made as a musician were the seeds that started the idea for the comedy, Houmans: The Series.