At the Whistle is The Striker's initial post-match assessment, delivered exclusively to Striker subscribers (as the title suggests) at the match's final whistle. Expect a more in-depth article on Monday night's match to come Tuesday morning, including quotes from the post-match press conference.
The lead
HOUSTON — The Houston Dynamo were eliminated from the 2023 Leagues Cup after a 2-1 loss to Charlotte FC in the Round of 16. Corey Baird scored in the 10th minute but a Patrick Agyemang strike would tie it in the 80th and a Micael own goal would signify the defeat.
Three things that caught our eye
Corey Baird opened the scoring with a right-footed tap off the volley in the 10th minute. Nelson Quiñones provided a wonderful lob for the assist that made the 27-year-old Baird, playing in the striker role tonight, look like he was a habitual number nine.
Griffin Dorsey cut across midfield to cross it over to Quiñones to set up the play, highlighting his work at the right-back position. Now, if the Dynamo had similar play coming from the left-back position it would make for a much more dangerous side.
Baird had one of the other three Dynamo shots in the first half. The other opportunity was off the mark but it was the right play to make in the 15th minute as the team created something from a chaotic play.
The RSL Academy product had some more opportunities in the second half but those were his usual misses. It's not all on him, the additional reliable options in the Dynamo attack make for a bigger spotlight on those misses.
***
The Dynamo were sweating this one from midway of the first half through the end of the game. A big part of this is the team's approach to protect the one-goal lead over pushing more aggressively to get the second.
They had chances but, again, nothing concrete or on target. Eventually, it felt like Charlotte was going to get one on the board which they did in the 80th minute.
Unfortunately, an own goal from Micael gave the visitors the lead. A backpass with too much force, and a lack of communication with Steve Clark, led to the biggest error of the night and the season.
***
It was time to pay the piper. At some point in the season, a team with quality was going to show the weaknesses of the Dynamo. Not that those haven't been prevalent throughout the year but Ben Olsen's side got away with a few results.
The recent penalty kick shootout wins have masked what is now a nine-match winless streak across all competitions. If the Dynamo were in season, those would translate to some important points lost during the months of July and August.
The good news is there is time to make adjustments and corrections. The Leagues Cup has provided a barometer without the consequence of dropping more points in the summer.
The Dynamo sit 9th in their conference, literally on the edge of the playoff race, with teams like Minnesota, Kansas City, and Portland in the hunt. It's time to act or the season will slip away fast.
We knew it was decided when...
Micael's own sentenced the result but it was heading towards a Charlotte comeback anyway with that first goal from the visiting team. The Dynamo have gotten lucky earlier this season with games that have gone in a similar fashion but, as predicted, they wouldn't be able to withstand the same situations when they face a team with better quality in attack.
What we might be asking in the press conference
What are your takeaways from this result?
What went into the decision to start Baird at the striker position today?
What do you say to Micael after that error?
More must-reads: