In a game that the Dynamo would have expected to win, Houston managed to put forth yet another uninspiring performance in its 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

The game marked a number of firsts for the expansion Union. It was their first win on the road, their first points on the road, and the first time the team had even held a lead on the road.

As embarrassing as the game was for La Naranja, it has been a familiar occurrence. The loss marks the fifth time this season where a strong, winning performance was followed with an uninspired, losing performance.

Philly came out with more passion and intent. The Union completely stifled any Dynamo opportunity, while rarely troubling keeper Pat Onstad in the opening moments of the game.

In truth, the game was very unexciting until late in the first half. After running down a long ball down the left side of the Houston defense, Shea Salinas shrugged off a Bobby Boswell shoulder charge, made his way down the endline and beat Pat Onstad from an extremely tight angle. The Union went into halftime with a deserved lead.

A legend honored
The second half began with a standing ovation from the Dynamo faithful as Brian Ching made his way into the game.

The game was Ching’s first after being left off the World Cup roster and he immediately gave his supporters something to cheer about. His inclusion seemed to spark the team and in the 52nd minute, their second half pressure was rewarded. A free kick from midfielder Brad Davis found Ching’s head and he buried the ball into the back of the net tying the game.

But Houston wasn’t finished yet.

They relentlessly pressured the Union backline, barely giving the expansion team any chances in their attacking half. Seven minutes later, Brad Davis would once again be the provider with defender Eddie Robinson providing the header. At 2-1, the Dynamo seemed to be poised to turn this game into a rout.

And then the wheels fell off.

After 20 minutes of focused, determined play, the Orange reverted to its first half play of sloppy, lackadaisical football. Combined with the inclusion of two crucial subs, the Union would take advantage of the Dynamo’s lack of focus.

The equalizer came in the 69th minute through team-leading scorer Sebastian Le Toux. More sloppy defending allowed rookie Danny Mwanga to tap in a goal from 4 yards out leaving the only sounds to be heard in Robertson Stadium to be heard from the Philadelphia Union bench.

Why the loss?
Games aren’t being lost because of a lack of talent. They are being lost because of a lack of focus, intensity, and desire. The Dynamo has proven time and time again that they are capable of being one of the better teams in the league when the players play with the appropriate level of concentration and commitment.

Additionally, losses would be easier to take if the Dynamo was a young, inexperienced team. This veteran team with proven leadership repeatedly falls into the same trap. They allow themselves to play every other game without the requisite intensity and focus. The Philadelphia game is essentially a microcosm of the season. Twenty minutes of solid play got them they lead in the second half, then the Dynamo lost their focus and intensity seemingly thinking the job was done. This lack of discipline is completely out of character for this team. If fans can take any solace, it’s that their frustrations are nothing when compared to the frustrations of the players and coaches.

Coming up
The Dynamo have two tough away games before the World Cup break. Tonight's match against NY Red Bulls followed by a match against current MLS leaders LA Galaxy on Saturday. For a team in desperate need of two solid performances in a row, these games come at an inopportune time.

Prediction
Last week, I fought the streak and paid the price. Every bit of logic indicated that the Dynamo should at least get a draw out of the game but the streak determined otherwise. Seriously, at this point, it’s getting ridiculous. Ten games. Ten freaking games of alternating wins and losses. The streak indicates that the Dynamo will win Wednesday against the Red Bulls. I’ve already fought the streak and lost but consider me a slow learner.

Prediction:
Red Bulls 0, Dynamo 0

Season Prediction Record: 6-5

Texian Army TV - 2010 - Ep 3 - Dominating DC.

Can the Dynamo put together back-to-back wins for the first time this season? Consistency has been a struggle but there will be no better opportunity than now to start a winning streak.

The Philadelphia Union comes to Houston with a mere four points from its first seven games. Considering the side is in its inaugural season that comes as no surprise. The Union is a team that, on paper, has the talent to compete in a relatively weak Eastern Conference.

Philly's lineup
For fans, the most recognizable name on the roster might be former Dynamo forward Alejandro Moreno. The Venezuelan was traded to Columbus in the deal that brought Joseph Ngwenya to Houston in 2007 and selected by the Union in the expansion draft this past offseason.

Never a prolific goal-scorer, Moreno relies on his hold-up play to involve other teammates or draw fouls. The goal-scoring duties fall to the other starting forward, Sebastian Le Toux. Le Toux started the season well, scoring four of the Union’s seven goals. The two forwards form a fairly potent front line, one that has the potential to cause problems.

In addition, Philadelphia has a bit of offensive talent in midfield that could be troublesome for the Men in Orange. While most could point to former DC United winger Fred as the talent in the corps, 18-year-old Roger Torres has been very impressive at times. The youngster is on loan from Colombian side America de Cali and has been a starter in every Union game in spite of his age. He has the technical ability to pry open a defense with precision. While he is relatively inexperienced when compared to La Naranja’s midfield, Houston must not give him the space and time to pick out a pass—he has the talent to make them pay.

Union’s defense has been the Achilles’ heel thus far this season. Despite the acquisitions of fringe US National Teamers Danny Califf and Michael Orozco, the Union has allowed an average of more than two goals per game. Some of that may be due to the fact that the defense needs time to gel – but it would also be helpful if the Union could keep 11 men on the field for 90 minutes. Philadelphia has played down a man in three of its first seven games and has amassed ten yellow cards. Discipline clearly seems to be an issue for this side and given the Dynamo’s propensity for physical play, they will have to keep their heads if they don’t want to make it 4 of 8.

Bad news for one of our own
US National Team coach Bob Bradley made the shocking - and as some fans expressed - extremely illogical and idiotic decision to leave forward Brian Ching off the USMNT roster ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The news was heartbreaking for Ching and the Dynamo - who would have been glad to be without his services for the next month had he made the squad - it does mean that Ching is available for this weekend’s match. As long as he is mentally over the disappointment, expect him to start.

Ching is arguably the team’s best player, and a start could be the medication he needs in order to put the news behind him. Also returning from national team duty callups, Canadians Pat Onstad and Andrew Hainault will ensure that Dominic Kinnear has virtually every option available to him for his starting XI.

Will Danny Cruz start at left mid again after impressing in his debut against DC last week or will Kinnear opt for Corey Ashe? Does Hainault reclaim his starting right back spot over Richard Mulrooney? If so, does Mulrooney take Lovel Palmer’s spot at defensive mid for a game? What about Joseph Ngwenya? The striker is officially a Dynamo player now after being cleared to play by FIFA. Is this the game he makes his debut? These are the decisions you have when your team is as deep as the Dynamo’s and your roster is relatively injury free.

Prediction
As for my prediction this week, I’m torn. The streak served me well last week as I rode a Dynamo win to a win of my own. The problem is the streak says that a Dynamo loss is imminent Saturday. But how can that be? The opponent's an expansion team who has failed to gain even a draw on the road, let alone a win. The Dynamo roster is as healthy as it’s going to be until Geoff Cameron returns, which means we can throw all kinds of crazy stuff at them and they won’t even know what hit ‘em. Screw it. All streaks come to an end at some point, right? I’m going toe-to-toe with this week's streak and I’m not afraid.

Prediction:
Dynamo 3, Union 0

Season Prediction Record: 6-4