Sam Mbonu
Introduction:
The Houston Dynamo is experiencing an electrifying resurgence in Major League Soccer (MLS), with a remarkable four-match winning streak that has propelled them to the 4th position in the highly competitive Western Conference. As the regular season enters its crucial phase, the Dynamo's impressive form has ignited hopes of securing a coveted playoff spot.
The Dynamo's Revival:
The 2023 MLS season began with a mixed bag of results for the Houston Dynamo. Initial struggles had fans worried, but the team's turnaround over the last month has been nothing short of spectacular. Their run in the US Open Cup saw the team in the finals where they will test the might of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.
The key to their resurgence has been a blend of improved teamwork, tactical adjustments, and standout individual performances.
Corey Baird has been a revelation at the top of Ben Olsen's attacking strategy, 5 goals in 7 games for the team has been immense, Nigeria international Aliyu Ibrahim with his assist against Real Salt Lake made the MLS.Com team of week 28, followed that up with a goal at Shell Energy Stadium on match day 29 against Columbus Crew, Steve Clark lead the league in 11 clean sheets while captain, Hector Herrera also account for 13 assists and earned a recall to the El Tri, the Mexican national team.
The resurgence is seen in all ramifications of the game, a team with a 16.1% conversion rate has produced 36 goals. Just as head coach Ben Olsen has constantly said in one of his pressers " I want to see more productivity in the offense "The next day they pumped Portland Timbers 5-0.
Their ball distribution could be seen in the numbers they have churned out in 26 games. Out of the 11,452 passes the team was able to put together, they completed over 9000 passes which represents an 83.3% success rate.
The defense has been doing a great job, even the absence of DP, Teenage Hadebe due to injury was not even obvious. 31 goals conceded which is the 3rd fewest among the teams above them, With 11 clean sheets, Steve Clark is in the hunt for the MLS Golden Glove Award.
Key Matches in the Streak:
1. Victory against Portland Timbers: The winning streak kicked off with a thrilling victory over the Portland Timbers. In this high-scoring encounter, the Dynamo showcased their attacking prowess, scoring 5 goals against Western Conference heavyweight, the Timbers. Houston Dynamo came into the regular season restart with their Open Cup form and Portland felt their wrath.
2. Triumphant away clash with Real Salt Lake: The Dynamo then faced Real Salt Lake just 3 days after they took RSL to the cleaners with a 3-1 defeat in the US Open Cup semis, a team traditionally known for its strong defense. 72 hours later, Houston Dynamo displayed versatility by securing a resounding 3-0 victory, demonstrating that they can grind out results anywhere in the league when needed.
3. Dominant win against Columbus Crew: A commanding performance against Columbus Crew further solidified their winning streak. The Dynamo's midfield control and organized defense were on full display in this convincing 2-0 win.
Playoff Aspirations:
Houston Dynamo's recent resurgence has not only lifted them in the standings but also reignited their playoff aspirations. With each victory, they are inching closer to securing a spot in the postseason. The team's coaching staff and players are fully aware of the challenges ahead but remain optimistic about their chances.
Comments
No comments