Houston Dynamo Lose 2-1: Takeaways and Player Ratings

Mar 29, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Houston Dynamo defender Jermaine Taylor (4) clears the ball from Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kenny Miller (9) during the second half at BC Place. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Player Ratings

Tally Hall (6) – Had little to do all match. Made a couple of saves but he did not appear to vocally do enough to warn of the danger presented by Harvey on the goal.

Corey Ashe (6) – Ashe defended reasonably well and got forward often, linking with both Brad Davis and Giles Barnes. He put a couple of quality balls into the box but to no avail.

Jermaine Taylor (4.5) – Taylor again was the weak link in the back four. He did some good things, but most of Vancouver’s chances came at the expense of Taylor. In the 12th minute he let Darren Mattocks get between him and a cross which should have led to a Mattocks goal. One minute later he got caught flat footed and let Mattocks take a ball off his foot which might have led to an immediate goal but for a recovery by Horst. On the ensuing corner, he let O’Brien beat him for a header which set up Harvey’s goal.

David Horst (7) – Caught ball watching on Harvey’s goal and should have reacted, although it was not his man. Apart from that was dominant in the air all night long and did not let Vancouver players get past him. Cleaned up most of the mistakes made by other defenders.

Kofi Sarkodie (5.5) – Not Sarkodie’s greatest match. Did not link well with Driver and struggled at times on the defensive end, although in fairness Driver’s poor defensive play put Sarkodie under undue pressure. Tripped himself up on a Mattocks run which ended up as a penalty and Vancouver’s second goal.

Brad Davis (6.5) – Davis was Davis. Quality service into the box including an assist off of a set piece. Clever on the ball and linked well with Barnes and Ashe to put pressure on Vancouver. Defended well.

Boniek Garcia (6.5) – Not as good as usual, perhaps due to an illness he fought last week. Despite that, many of Houston’s best attacks came through Garcia, including a lovely through ball to Bruin which Bruin let go through his legs without ever getting a touch on the ball.  Had some good plays on defense.

Ricardo Clark (7) – As always, Clark was quietly solid in the midfield breaking up attacks and getting forward. Scored the lone goal for the Dynamo off of a set piece.

Andrew Driver (5) – Put in a couple of decent crosses and ran a lot, but was largely ineffective on the right side. Defensively he was a liability and put added pressure on Sarkodie.

Giles Barnes (6.5) – Did everything but score. Clever on the ball, crisp passes, arguably put the best service into the box of any Dynamo player. Again, his speed caused the opposing defense problems. Took a couple of shots when passing might have been better, but you want your forwards to shoot.

Will Bruin (4.5) – Responsible for the opening goal after losing his man. Poor touch all night long – was the benefactor of two quality through balls that both went through his legs without a touch. Passing and movement was poor as well.

Omar Cummings (6) – Made some runs, caused some problems but not on long enough to have much of an impact.

Brian Ownby (5) – Ran a lot with the ball at his feet but to no end result. Touch poor, including losing a ball across the end line on the left side late on trying to run at the opposing defender.

Mark Sherrod (NR) – Came on late, had no real opportunity to contribute.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments section below.

Read the match recap here.