Dynamo Helps Redeem MLS Reputation in Mexico City

Major League Soc­cer has been shown up to be a weak foot­balling league the past few weeks in the CONCACAF Cham­pi­ons League. A com­bi­na­tion of fix­ture con­ges­tion and late sea­son play­off pushes have reduced MLS sides abil­ity to com­pete in the CONCACAF Cham­pi­ons League. In addi­tion, the Pur­erto Rico Islanders a USL-1 side made up largely of for­mer MLS play­ers and coaches has been one of the best sides in the entire tour­na­ment. MLS sides, Chivas USA, DC United and New Eng­land showed lit­tle fight or inter­est in the tour­na­ment. For DC United it was par­tic­u­larly galling: enter­ing this sea­son DC United had more finals and semi­fi­nal appear­ances in CONCACAF events than the rest of the league com­bined. But sud­denly in 2008, United is just another MLS team in these events los­ing its first three home matches in his­tory to Mex­i­can or Costa Rican sides within the last 3 months.

But that was before the Hous­ton Dynamo entered the com­pe­ti­tion thanks to a delay after Hur­ri­cane Ike. Dom Kin­n­ear is never going to let his team dis­grace itself the way DC United and New Eng­land did in their most recent home matches in the com­pe­ti­tion. Two matches away from home for the Dynamo and two results. Kei Kamara was out­stand­ing up for the Dynamo and Cory Ashe brought a level of energy Pumas could not match on the flank. Bobby Boswell who was scape­goated by the sink­ing ship at RFK Sta­dium con­tin­ued his solid play for the Dynamo with sev­eral out­stand­ing defen­sive plays in the final 30 min­utes of the match and Craig Waibel, scored twice.….….…yes I repeat Craig Waibel scored twice.  The Dynamo drew with Pumas 4–4 in Mex­ico City.

You see the Dynamo who has suf­fered just as many injuries the last few years as any MLS team doesn’t come into com­pe­ti­tions with their excuses already writ­ten out and in the coaches back pocket. Unlike their MLS brethren, they play to win, and com­pete every night.  As I’ve said before MLS could take a les­son or two from USL and every­one in Amer­i­can soc­cer could take a les­son or two from Dom Kin­n­ear and the Dynamo.