A fun game to watch, and gives me some hope, too. RSL looked good on offense, and with the regular corps on defense i think they would have won this game. Mathis was a no-show, but nice to see Deuchar contribute. I wouldn't say Rimando had his best game, either.

I agree with Daniel. With two of our defensive starters out and a guy who made his first start ever on defense against the Houston Dynamo, in the heat and humidity, with the two week break, I felt like we played pretty well. We would of won and for sure tied that game if we would of had Joy and Olave in the mix.

The statement was made, perhaps you weren't listening! Missing 2 starters, including a key central def and only losing by 1. Only 2 other MLS teams have managed 3 against the defending champs this year. I believe RSL made a statement!

The absence of Olave was VERY apparent. But they did a respectable job. Good to see the forwards doing their thing, but overshadowed by the defense. Let's bounce back and regain first place!

Add to the defensive woes that our starting defensive mid was Kenny Cutler.
Until Sturgis gets back I say we move Robbie Russell to D-mid. If not him then Kyle can hold down the fort until then.

I actually thought Robbie Russell looked good offensively. He had several nice crosses and made a lot of good passes well upfield. Missing Dema and Olave was obviously huge. Based on this game I would guess Cutler, Horst, and Mathis will not be starting any games this year unless we have substantial injury issues. I actually don't even want to see them on the field again.

I put this loss mostly on David Horst, he was always out of place never covering his guy and it was due to him at least 2 of those goals happened. He has potential but this is why we should have done something to keep Mantilla. Kreis should have really pulled out Horst and put in Joy or Beltran and moved Russell to the middle. This game made our highly touted defense look weak, on the other had it was good to see 3 goals. I am glad Olave will be back against Columbus, that will be a tough game that we will be lucky to come out with a tie!

One more thing I wanted to add, Yura looked VERY good! He was not affraid to take shots, his shots were strong and on! I think he is still looking to prove himself!

Got excited, got sad, got excited, got sad again, got sadder, got even sadder, things started to look up, then the game ended... eehh...

3 points against Houston? Dr. Goals scored? Should have at least tied, allowing 4 goals is terrible.

Is this a trend or a blip?

Paging Mr. Olave.....

Agree agree agree, in addition I want to add Cutler. Kries is missing Olave and Dema and the change he makes is Cutler and Horst. COME ON JASON! That's just bull! Exactly move Russell over and put in Joy or Beltran. Did Kries not see Horst in the international friendlies ? This guys is bad, cut him loose and stop drafting players with heart and start drafting players with skill.

re:rsl fanatic

Joy and Beltran were unavailable due to injuries, otherwise he would have done just that.

We just need to take the positives away from this game and move on. The way I see it, the positives are these:

1. We scored three goals in Houston.
2. Deuchar and Movsysian finally scored.
3. Findley's assists were fantastic, he is learning a thing or two from the Dr. about passing with his head.
4. The defense was awful (was that RSL's 2005 defense out there?), but we still put ourselves in a position to get a result at the end of the game. That shows good heart.

re: RSL Fanatic
Beltran and Joy were both unavailable due to injury. When I heard the starting lineup in the pregame I thought we had no chance. Overall I too was very encouraged by the offense and with Olave back I think we'll be just fine. It was nice to see the good Dr. get a nice finish and I think Findley is growing more confident with each match.

why oh why did this have to be the game olave missed. With him we all know at least one of those goals would have been stopped, at the very least. Horst is not MLS material, i dont even know if he would make it in the PDL.
Here is how i hope we start against Columbus (which is going to be another tough match)
Rimando
Joy Olave Russel Wingert
Williams Dema Javi Beckerman
Yura Duechar
I know Findley played well, but his speed and fitness would be key at about the 60th min in a tied game or a losing game. If Joy or Dema are out, swith in Russel, if both are, then Russel on the outside, Beckerman in the middle, Fabian on the wing.
Cutler, Mathis, and Horst should NOT get any time in Columbus!

Oh, I agree with you I am not saying it was all bad. I think there were some good things to bring away, especially scoring three in Houston, with many many more chances. It just makes me question moves like Mantillas, looking at that D mean we are an injury or two away from getting blown out of the water.

I certainly dont expect to win every away game and it is tough in Houston anyway. Although can I add again, Horst and Cutler need to GO!! and I mean AWAY!!

Ive seen some reserve matches and Horst doesnt look that good there either. That was a mistake lets own it and move on. And lets break ties with Cutler, that guy doesnt play more than a 10 yard ball at anytime and wont keep it more than half a second. When he is on the field we play a man down anyway. MLS play is getting better Cutler isnt, just part ways... AND NEVER under any circumstance put Horst in again. Play a man down instead or play a 3-5-2 and ask more from your mid's

I was unaware that both Beltran and Joy were out, I tuned in a bit late. I guess just an unlucky week not only to lose Mantilla but down Dema, Olave, Beltran, and Joy, I agree with you voice of reason we had no chance!

So "ehhh..." to answer your question I think this was just a blip as our core defensive guys were out! I guess we will see come Saturday!

...is it too early to try and trade Mathis for Cunningham again?

can I add my voice to those above that are saying Cutler and Horst and the new "offensive powerhouse acquisition" Mathis not play again?

P.S. Sign Olave

When Olave takes the field in the next home game against Colorado he needs to hear it from us fans and know that we appreciate him and want him here. Based on this game, I don't want to think what next year will be like without Olave in the back 4.

Horst needs to change the "H" on the back of his uniform to a "W". Yura played excellent for once and I'm hoping it isn't just an anomaly... Dr. Goals (Dr. Goal, to be a bit more fitting) had a solid strike on goal... but all in all it's plain to see that when Olave is out out back line (and ultimately the entire squad) suffers greatly. Mathis performed just how we expected him to (yellow card)... perhaps he will prove us all wrong by showing us he is mature and has 'changed'... but for the moment I'm keeping my expectations low.

A good match, though, from the boys; a 4-3 loss is not a bad result against one of the best teams in MLS, AND on the road... we really brought the heat on the first half and overall played excellent. I'm still confident that we can snag a few wins on this seemingly-forever road schedule.