Houston Dynamo player ratings vs Seattle Sounders

(image via Houston Dynamo FC)

On Saturday the Dynamo hosted the Seattle Sounders and suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss. Let’s take a look at how everybody performed.

Starters

Steve Clark-5

For the first time in a while Steve Clark disappointed in goal for the Dynamo, only making one save in the game. Steve could have done much better with the cross that led to the goal as well.

Daniel Steres-7

Another Steres performance where he adds an excellent defensive presence to the right back position. Steres held down his position for most of the game, not making any major mistakes. He did fail to add much of anything going forward.

Ethan Bartlow-6

An alright night for Bartlow, where the Sounders barely got into his territory. He did have six clearances, but easily could have been sent off for leading with his elbow unnaturally while attacking the ball in the air.

Micael-7

Micael had himself another very productive night contributing to the solid defense the Dynamo played while filling in for Teenage Hadebe. Micael completed a team high 92% of his passes as he continues to develop as a solid contributor to the team.

Franco Escobar-7

Escobar once again was leading the defense in defense actions making three tackles, two interceptions, a block, and two clearances. Escobar played very well in support going forward as well, especially before the red card.

Artur-8

Artur put in another monster performance for the Dynamo in midfield, nearly shutting down Lodeiro and Rusnak for the entire game. Artur made a whopping seven blocks in this game and did his best in possession for the difficult scenario.

Hector Herrera-3

Hector had what might have been his worst performance in a Dynamo jersey this weekend. While he was very active on the ball, he was a bit of a passenger on defense in moments. He had a very difficult time keeping his composure, getting in the face of the referee. Hector then made a really bad decision to foul a Seattle player at midfield to get a second yellow and give the Dynamo no chance.

Coco Carrasquilla-6

Given the situation after the red card, Coco actually played a pretty solid game. After the red he was asked to play out wide and contribute defensively a ton. After struggling a bit, Ben Olsen made the change to play Coco at striker and move Corey to the wing. This changed allowed Coco to be the guy in transition. While it did not always work out, you cannot fault his work rate and ability to give the Dynamo some offensive possession before the second red card.

Ivan Franco-3

Ivan massively struggled once again to be a contributor for this team. Franco had the least number of touches of all the starters, other than Bassi. He made no major defensive contributions and did not complete a lot of his passes. His poor play saw him substituted with 30 minutes to go.

Amine Bassi-2

Bassi managed to start this game looking good and creating the Dynamo’s best opportunity of the night with a great pass to Corey Baird. While he looked good while still on the field, he made a nasty challenge on Lodeiro that saw him sent off. Not much of a debate on the red card. While it was not intentional, it was a very bad challenge and changed the game for the worse.

Corey Baird-5

While Baird failed to convert the early chance, his work rate and ability to contribute all over the field was massive to holding on to the draw for most of the game. He started the game as a striker and then moved to left midfield. He then moved again when Smith was subbed on to play right mid. He was really playing as a wing back for most of the time with how little possession the team saw. His engine and ability to help Steres defend was very important in not letting the game get out of hand like it could have.

Substitutes

Brad Smith-3

Smith came on with 30 minutes to go for Ivan Franco. Smith was asked to play left midfield and play very defensively. He struggled to get a real grasp of the game and looked lost at times. He tucked in way too much to allow Alex Roldan a free cross that led to the winner for Seattle.

Luis Caicedo, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nelson Quinones-N/A

With only being subbed in with less then ten minutes to go while down two men, it would be a little harsh to give ratings to these players when there’s not much they can do.

Coach

Ben Olsen-7

Ben Olsen had the team playing fairly well for the first 35 minutes of the game. The red card completely threw off his tactics once again and that is certainly not his fault. He did do well to adjust, so the game stayed within reach of the Dynamo. Overall, a very good showing considering the tough circumstance.