Dynamo playing for pride the rest of the way

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At this point, the Dynamo's season will not be judged by where they sit in the standings. From now on, it is all about heart.

Interim coach Wade Barrett and several players shouted a rallying cry Saturday night after an embarrassing second-half performance against rival FC Dallas.

The first 13 games with Barrett in charge delivered the message that even though the wins are not piling up, a foundation for the future is being established. That is an important step in leaving the Owen Coyle tenure in the past.

After conceding three goals in the second half on Saturday, though, game No. 14 exposed additional issues that had been festering. In a post-game interview on UniMas, midfielder Alex Lima questioned the desire of some of his teammates.

In the locker room after the game, the team discussed the big picture that never seemed to be a problem until Saturday.

"With eight games left, we have a lot to play for," Barrett said. "We have our jobs to play for. We have the city to play for. We have our fans to play for. We have ourselves. Nobody is happy with the situation we're in.

The Dynamo lost to FC Dallas 3-1 on Saturday night. The Dynamo lost to FC Dallas 3-1 on Saturday night. Photo: Scott Halleran, Staff Photo: Scott Halleran, Staff Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Dynamo playing for pride the rest of the way 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

"I hope it hurts. It hurts me. I think that it hurts everybody (in the locker room), but it has to hurt enough that we figure some of these things out. It is my task to pull the group together. It is on them to decide what players are going to show up. There are a lot of different ways the season can go. It is within our power how that will happen."

It has been within the players' power to improve on their finishing, but that has not happened. Wednesday against Seattle, they put four of 23 shots on target. Saturday they put four of 18 on target.

The backbreaker Saturday came in the 53rd minute when Mauro Manotas used a brilliant touch to free himself in the penalty area but then hit a shot from 12 yards wide of the near post. It could have given Houston a 2-0 lead. Shortly after that FC Dallas scored two goals inside one minute.

Finishing has been an issue, but it has been far from the only one. Even with the defense improving under Barrett it looked leaky on Saturday. FC Dallas' first goal came on a penalty kick that was awarded after defender Raul Rodriguez raised his arm to block a shot while inside the penlaty area.

The second goal came on a counter attack, which is always the No. 1 priority when facing FC Dallas.

The playoffs are becoming a distant after thought, but that doesn't mean there is nothing to play for the rest of the way.

"We need to grow up," defender Sheanon Williams said. "We need to look in the mirror, look at yourself first and do what you need to do to make this team better. That goes for everybody. It is not just one guy. It is the whole group of us that isn't doing what we're supposed to do. If you think this is going to last forever then it is going to end quickly for you."

Corey Roepken is a freelance writer.