Houston Dynamo may have given up a 3-1 halftime lead to take only a point from their MLS is Back Tournament opener with LAFC, but there were plenty of positives to take from 90 minutes in which they gave the runaway 2019 Supporters' Shield winners all they could handle.
Memo Rodriguez scored twice and Alberth Elis added a third in a thrilling first-half display for the Dynamo. And, while Tab Ramos' side could not see out the win in the second half, Rodriguez said their performance was a major statement after going down 4-0 to Sporting Kansas City in their last game before the season was suspended in March.
"I think we’ve been three months away from the game, sitting on a 4-0 loss and we wanted to prove during this tournament that we are a good team and we showed that today," he said.
"Our team's intensity was well-matched with LAFC," he added. "Unfortunately, we gave up two goals in the second half but we played 50-50 with them and I think it shows we can play with anybody in this league. And I think moving forward we just have to build on the success we had today."
Having seen his hopes of a memorable first win as Dynamo head coach squashed, however, Ramos admitted his frustration after conceding goals by Diego Rossi and Brian Rodriguez in the second half.
"No question [I'm frustrated]," he said. "You're up 3-1 at halftime, you're thinking you've got a pretty good chance to win the game. Obviously we knew LAFC would create chances. Now they have a lot of talented players finding those spaces behind which we were prepared for, but, you know, unfortunately, we gave up two goals in the second half and it's a little disappointing that we didn't come out with the three points."
Houston will look to get their first win of MLS is Back and the 2020 season when they take on the Portland Timbers next up on Saturday (8 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes in US; TSN in Canada).
