In a battle of who could miss a shot the worst, the Hounds are returning from the great white north with a point. Last week Coach Brandt dropped some scathing quotes after the loss to Harrisburg, rightfully so, and at least during the first half it looked like the Hounds heard it loud and clear. The Hounds opened up the game looking very cool and confident. The midfield was controlling the ball well when they had it, and getting it back quick when they didn’t. Unfortunately as has been the case many times this year they didn’t have anything to show for it, whiffing on a couple golden chances for good measure. And then the second half happened.
For whatever reason, maybe too much poutine in the locker room, the Hounds came out looking like crap for a good portion of the second. And wouldn’t you know, the team with only three goals on the season put one past Mitchell. I know a lot of people like Abubakar, and there’s no denying he’s got some raw talent, but I’m starting to wonder if that rawness isn’t a liability. Maybe it’s just a string of bad luck, but the last four goals against have involved him either making a bad play on the ball, or in this case losing his mark. I don’t know… maybe it just looks worse when one Crew loan is struggling a bit next to one who’s excelling. I don’t know who or what lit a fire under Hollingsworth this match but he was all over the place and making good plays. He’s been having a pretty good year to begin with, but if this is a sign of him hitting his next level then yes, yes, yes. At any rate hopefully Abubakar settles in a little better now that he seems to be a more permanent loan.
As the game went on it got very open with a lot of fast counters by the Hounds. Seemed like there was a lot of energy in the tank even if they did start the second half. Parkes in particular had a great near break away but bottled the shot. Quite a few bottle… bottles… bottling? this game. Hertzog, Parkes, Duffie, and probably someone else all missed golden opportunities. Toronto even had a few that they should’ve converted. If there was better finishing this would’ve been another thrilling 3-3 game like in the season opener. Fortunately for Parkes he had a chance to redeem himself late in the game and open up his 2017 account with a perfect set piece by the Hounds. The keeper bit to the left, and shorty couldn’t get back right in time. The Hounds don’t do much with set pieces very often, but a perfect one in the dying minutes of the games is always a pleasure. With luck this is the spark Parkes will need to get a run of goals going.
A road point isn’t the worst thing in the world, and it keeps the Hounds to only one loss on the road. That said it doesn’t feel great with all the missed opportunities and the fact we drew against the worst team in the East. The Hounds have a tough one against Louisville coming up. Hope we see more of the first half with some balls in the back of the net this time.
HEY DON’T FORGET WE’RE PAINTING A TIFO THIS SATURDAY AND ALSO HAVING A WATCH PARTY AFTERWARDS. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.
#UNLEASH
