DYNAMO GET 1-0 WIN IN GUATEMALA
Five quick kicks from Dynamo at Guastatoya
Feb 20, 2019, 6:28 am
The Houston Dynamo picked up their first win of the season in the Concacaf Champions League. Photo by: Rudy Martinez/Deporte Total USA
The Houston Dynamo kicked off their 2019 season with a 1-0 first leg win over C.D. Guastatoya in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions League. DaMarcus Beasley scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute to give Houston the victory. The Dynamo will host the Guatemalan side for the second leg next Tuesday before starting their MLS season against Real Salt Lake on March 2nd at BBVA Compass Stadium.
1) Starting the year with a win
Only a win could help the Dynamo feel optimistic after a year in which the team lost 16 out of their 34 league matches. Yes, the team won the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup but, in the bigger picture, the season was largely a disappointment. Playing in their first official match of the year, the team looked far from sharp in fitness and technique. In the end, however, the team withstood everything their Guatemalan counterparts threw at them and even left with the lead in the series.
2) Winning on the road
While we're at the point of boosting morale, chalk up a road win for one of the Major League Soccer's worse road teams. The Dynamo simply have not been able to figure out road games in MLS but they did so here in the Concacaf Champions League. Take the win with a grain of salt considering the competition. Even so, there's something to be said about winning an international contest in a foreign country. It wasn't necessarily a hostile environment but it was good enough for the Dynamo to feel good about winning on the road.
3) Defense bends but doesn't break
One of the reasons why the Dynamo could not stop anyone in 2018 is because they could never field a consistent center back pair in defense. Injuries hobbled the team, yes, but the depth of the squad was also an issue. This offseason, the Dynamo added two experienced players in defense plus another defensive midfielder to provide more options after last year's injury to Juan David Cabezas, arguably the club's most irreplaceable player.
4) Experience wins it for the Dynamo
On that same note of offseason reinforcements, signings like Aljaz Struna and Maynor Figueroa were brought in because of their experience. Some fans are wondering if this means 22-year-old centerback and 2018 signing Alejandro Fuenmayor has fallen out of favor with the manager Wilmer Cabrera. Fuenmayor was a bit reckless in tackles last season, which could have factored into him getting benched, but overall I think Cabrera decided to go with hard-nosed experience - at least for the start of the season.
5) Traveling supporters
Houston is not necessarily known for it's soccer supporters because of the club's continued struggle to fill out the stadium but the team was well represented Guatemala City on Tuesday night. Over 40 fans made the trip and were present to cheer their team on at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores. Some left over the weekend while others arrived on Tuesday itself. What spurred the travelers? One reason could be the five-year absence from the Concacaf Champions League while another could be the club's recent change in front office personnel. One thing is for certain: while small in numbers, the Dynamo have a passionate fanbase and one that they must capitalize on and nurture. After a season were many season ticket holders expressed their desire to forgo renewing their memberships, the club must build on moments like these.
Dynamo player of the game:
No surprise here, DaMarcus Beasley was the difference maker with the game-winning goal. The ageless U.S. Soccer legend showcased his experience by anticipating the rebound from a corner kick to score his first goal in international club competition since scoring for Rangers in the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stage.
Next up:
Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium to host Guastatoya in the second game of this series, with the aggregate winner moving on to the quarter-finals against the winner of the Sapprisa-Tigres series.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.