Disappointment in defeat for Dynamo
Houston is eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs in Conference Championship
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- Dynamo eliminated with loss in LA
- Highlights: LA 2, HOU 0
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He sat in a white folding chair. One could only guess what went through his mind. But perhaps it had something to do with what had just transpired on the field.
The Dynamo were eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs after a 2-0 loss in overtime to the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on a night that featured the stadium lights going out for 18 minutes in each half.
And both Galaxy goals came after fouls whistled on Clark.
His first was for fouling Galaxy forward Jovan Kirovski, giving way to a David Beckham's free kick that resulted in a Gregg Berhalter goal and a 1-0 Galaxy lead 13 minutes into overtime.
The second foul was on Galaxy forward Alan Gordon inside the penalty area, prompting a penalty kick call from referee Terry Vaughn. Landon Donovan converted from the spot to seal the game.
"I thought the foul on the set piece was kind of soft based on previous calls," Clark said. "I didn't agree with that at all. I think that cost us the game. I think it was fair to call the penalty."
It was an abrupt ending to a match most players on both clubs called "weird" because of the blackouts. Players from both teams said the power outages caused momentum to change.
"I think it's pretty unprofessional, you know in a conference (championship) game on national TV," Clark said. "That tactic is just unacceptable."
Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez said he wouldn't consider the blackout an advantage for the home team.
"Stopping twice was really tough. It took you out of the game," Gonzalez said. "But you just had to fight through it. Your body cools down and you have to get yourself back into the game. It definitely was tough."
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear said it was more difficult to lose the chance at another MLS Cup title.
"It was a great game and a great season but it's always a sad ending if you're not the winner," Kinnear said. "We could have played better. I thought we were playing well until the lights went out. We never got back into our rhythm again."
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Houston has reached the MLS Cup twice, winning both (2006 and 2007). That was after the team moved to Texas from San Jose. The Earthquakes won the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003.
The disappointment was also clear in the Dynamo locker room after the match.
Players didn't say much. The sounds of equipment bags being zipped and the tearing off athletic tape could be loudly heard in the locker room calmness.
It was the opposite in the Galaxy locker room. The team that had not reached the MLS Cup since winning it in 2005 made it clear it was time to celebrate.
The Dynamo did have a bright spot in the match. Or at least they believed they did when Andrew Hainault appeared to have scored in the 80th minute, heading home a corner kick. It didn't count. The goal was annulled.
Houston forward Luis Angel Landin was called for a foul on the Galaxy's A.J. DeLaGarza.
Kinnear didn't think it was a foul just as Clark didn't believe the first crucial foul whistled on him should have been called.
"Two calls lead to goals," Clark said. "We were unlucky. How much more can you do?"
Ivan Orozco is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
