Revolution v. Houston Dynamo, 8.17.11

It’s a shame the Revolution’s season is now effectively over because MLS games are getting more intense and competitive, as evidenced by the first minute of this one. Both teams came out attacking the ball like a couple of NHL playoff squads attack a puck. The Revolution went up a goal in the 4^th minute off a quick, short corner played to Benny Feilhaber, who sent in a cross to Milton Caraglio. Caraglio did well to fend off defenders and strike a deflected shot, though normally reliable Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall came off his line with all the conviction of a toddler testing the waters of a cold wading pool. The shot eventually fell to the feet of ex-Houston defender Ryan Cochran, who tapped in the easy score.

Given the Revolution’s propensity for collapse this season, it’s not surprising they couldn’t kill a game with nearly 90 minutes left on the clock. It is surprising, however, that Houston didn’t get the equalizer until the 90^th minute. I knew the outcome before I watched the replay, and I kept asking myself, “When, exactly, are the Dynamo going to score here?” Their sloppy late goal was agonizing even when I knew about it in advance.

To be fair to Houston, they were precise and dominant, clearly outplaying New England, particularly in the latter part of the first half. The Revolution can thank both Lady Luck and goalkeeper Matt Reis for escaping the half up 1-0 and for ultimately leaving their home field with a measly one point. Reis was again remarkable, and I shake my head just dimly contemplating where the Revolution would be without his services this season. Probably MLS would make a new rule and relegate New England to the NASL. Whatever, the Revolution will have to play without Reis against the Red Bulls tonight, since he got a red card for “foul and abusive language” at the very end of stoppage time, in the 95^th minute.

Foul and abusive language? Is that a FIFA rule, an MLS rule, or a rule written by our Puritan forefathers? Whoever drew it up, give us a break. If a frustrated athlete can’t blow off steam by engaging in a little harmless cursing then he or she may resort to more offensive tactics, such as Houston’s Adam Moffat did when he excited Reis’s ire by slamming Pat Phelan to the turf near the boards on an inexcusably cheap shot from behind on the final play of the game.

Cursing, cussing, swearing, etc. is in my opinion overly stigmatized in this country. I’m not saying people shouldn’t use such language judiciously, they should, but curse words have been around for centuries for a reason (or more likely for many reasons) and denying their power and appropriateness in certain situations is to engage in the worst type of boring and self-righteous schoolmarmishness. (Check out this article on the salutary effects of cursing if you’re so inclined.) Anyway, I say good for Reis for getting in Moffat’s face after his dirty shot, which might have had serious consequences. In case Moffat didn’t know about Phelan’s history of concussions, Phelan’s padded headgear should have tipped him off.

As for the rest of the game, it mostly followed the typical pattern: the Revolution were dominated in the run of play, as reflected by the Dynamo’s 61% time-of-possession statistic. Houston created multiple excellent scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half, including a good buildup in the 45^th minute that culminated in a missed sitter by Cam Weaver. The Revs’ Caraglio did have his best game of his short tenure, including not only his part in the Revolution’s goal but a blistering shot on target from distance in the 17^th minute and a good steal and dribbling run through the midfield in the 55^th minute. He nearly got a nice through ball past the defense on that one. He looked fitter than he has in the last two matches and looked upset when Stephen McCarthy came on for him in the 79^th minute.

And Caraglio’s teammates’ efforts weren’t all bad in the second half. In the final ten minutes, New England had to play with Phelan as their center back alongside A.J. Soares, as Cochrane went off hurt. They moved from a 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1 and managed to press the Dynamo defense and control the ball about half the time. But Reis, after a night that saw him make three memorable saves, couldn’t corral his final effort and Houston took advantage.

On an unrelated note, English Premier League fans should check out this brief, insightful take on Arsenal, just posted by longtime Gunners fan Greg Berman