Written By Sam Mbonu
Houston Dynamo manager Ben Olsen has said the away trip to Columbus Crew is an opportunity to bounce back from the 4-1 home defeat to Inter Miami in week 2.
“Is a good week, we had lot of discussions, we are going to play a very good opponent, one of the best teams in the league, is a great challenge for us to have a response from the Miami game. And again, we’ve had a lot of discussions on how to go forward with this group, we have good game plans and good ideas to go about getting results in Columbus, but it will be a tough task. We know how good the team is, but we are definitely looking forward to getting back out there and getting better as we continue to find ourselves and show progress” he stated.
Dynamo unceremoniously found themselves 0-2 start early this season and the 4-1 home defeat exposed the frailty in the team, in his pre match conference, Ben Olsen was quick to dismiss the lack of possession in their 4-1 defeat at home to Inter Miami.
“Look, I don't go home feeling success that we out possessed a team, that doesn't really matter but of course we want that because we believe that is a way we can have success, but we can win other ways” I was so concerned about the lack of possession”
According to mlssoccer.com statistics board, Inter Miami out possessed Houston Dynamo by 51.6%, they were able to convert 4 out of a total 6 shots on goal. Javier Mascherano side were able to complete 552 total passes with 86% passing accuracy without Lionel Messi and won 7 ariel duels in key places. However, the Houston Dynamo manager was dismissive of his side's lack of possession but admitted the quality that inter Miami has made it difficult for his team to cope.
“I wasn't concerned about lack of possession, but when you chase the game against a very good side and go down early that could happen” he argued.
Ben Olsen also spoke about the sluggish start of play from his team.
“ Also we just couldn't get off the line, we did not switch the play to attack, we thought we could go down one side too many times, we weren't patient and sometimes that’s the product of going down early, you’re anxious to go get the 2nd goal, you’re rushing in moments where you need to exhale, take a few more passes, maybe explore the other side especially a team like Miami and Columbus that are narrow and will squeeze you to the line as most teams try to do” he explained.
On the number of turnovers his team has given away in the last two home defeats to FC Dallas and Inter Miami, Ben Olsen said “I don't think any team possession has anything to do with our turnovers and the way we gave away goals, Columbus is going to have the ball, they are very good at it and they are not going to change and that should not be a surprise to us, we have some ideas on how to disrupt them like every coach does going into a game against Columbus but they still gonna have a good portion of the ball, is what they do and they’re committed to it, that's ok as well, we’re not looking to go into this game to win the possession battle but if that happens is because we are in good form and is ok but that's not what we looking for, we looking for moments', we’re looking for strength over that team and how to counter those, we’re looking for weakness and try to exploit them” he added.
Meanwhile, Ben Olsen has come out to back goalkeeper, Andrew Tradell who has come under fire for his performance in the last two home defeats to FC Dallas and inter Miami.
“I think Andrew would be his toughest critique, tougher than I would be on him, but he gonna be fine, I don't think if anybody has been at the highest level for us right now and again that's part of a new group figuring themselves out, losing 4, 5 guys off the spine this takes a little time and within that comes relationship building and confidence, he is dammed good goalkeeper i believe in his character, I believe in his skill sets so he will be fine” he argued.
Houston has conceded 6 goals in their two games as they start the season 0-2.
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