We knew it would be hot. And we knew Houston would play well.
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear told us before the game that in his opinion this is the toughest climate anywhere in the league.
It’s brutal, especially in the summer months.
But nobody saw this one coming.
It was almost like the visitors were trying to conserve energy for the tough going later in the game when the heat and humidity would be taking its toll. But you can never take your foot off the pedal. Correction - Houston did in the second half otherwise it might have been five or six for the home team.
If there's any consolation, it’s that these things happen in this league. Every team it seems, gets thumped once in a while and then bounces back like it never happened. That had better be the case for Toronto.
The Vancouver Whitecaps and head coach Teitur Thordarson were no doubt watching with raised eyebrows, thinking about the opportunity that awaits them Tuesday evening at Swangard.
Here's the scenario: if Toronto wins or draws, they win the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. If Vancouver wins, then Toronto must win the finale in Montreal at which point it comes down to goal difference.
The pitch at Swangard, by the way, is perfect. The best it’s ever been. Vancouver will be missing the suspended Martin Nash, while Toronto will be without Marvell Wynne and Amado Guevara, both on international duty with the United States and Honduras respectively.
Speaking of the international game, there is great news on Simeon Jackson. The kid scores the winner for Gillingham in the League Two playoff to win promotion. Then a week later he scores the winner for Canada against Cyrpus in his international debut. Good move by coach Stephen Hart to get him capped.
There's a sense Jackson and a core group of young players will form the backbone of Canada's Gold Cup team this summer.
