March 07, 2016
Nobody on the planet does knee-jerk reaction like Philadelphia.
So, it was only natural to see social media populated with sardonic comments about Andrew Wenger and Cristian Maidana after they both scored on their Dynamo debuts.
The pair was traded to Houston this offseason in a blockbuster deal that saw the Union acquire general allocation money, targeted allocation money, and the No. 6 overall draft pick. That haul was used to sign Ilsinho and Roland Alberg, and draft Fabian Herbers.
Maidana's goal on Sunday brought him level with his entire scoring output for the 2015 Union season. 'Chaco' scored three goals in 54 regular season Union games over the course of two years. He's not a goal scorer and never has been. He's a chance creator who contributed 26 assists in his Union career.
In his Dynamo debut, he passed the ball into an empty net after a New England defensive gaffe. Give Chaco credit for being in the right spot and finishing the play.
We'll take it! #HOUvNE pic.twitter.com/k73Aeg5dy9
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) March 6, 2016
Playing behind Will Bruin and Cubo Torres, Maidana will probably continue to do what he does best, which is drift wide, find space, and provide good service. He's playing with a better group of forwards in Houston and won't have to do the bulk of his work on the counterattack this season. Maidana took the Dynamo corner kicks on Sunday and will get the same set-piece opportunities that he had in Chester. He finished the game with one goal, two shots, two key passes, and two successful dribbles.
As far as Wenger, he impressed in the second half of 2014 before going on to have a wretched 2015 season. Last year, he contributed one goal and two assists over 26 games and only managed nine shots on goal in 1,725 minutes. He started the season with zero goals in his first 19 games. Andrew's physical traits were never in doubt, but he looked to be struggling mentally.
This play by Andrew Wenger. Snuffs out the counter and finishes the goal. #Dynamo #SoccerSunday pic.twitter.com/AVEVY15xQu
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) March 6, 2016
The Wenger that I saw on Sunday looked assertive and confident. He was used on the right flank instead of the left, and just seemed more comfortable out there. There were two headed chances on goal in the first 20 minutes, where Wenger pinched centrally and made nice runs into the box. His goal was the product of a nice sequence where he tracked back and won a defensive challenge, then hustled to get back into the box and finish the play.
Maybe the Lancaster County native just needed a change of scenery.
At the end of the day, Cristian and Andrew are decent guys who no longer play here. Let's give it more than 90 minutes before we pass judgment on the trade.
Final: Dynamo 3-3 #NERevs
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) March 6, 2016
Heartbreaking end to the match to finish on level terms. #HOUvNE #PaintItBlack pic.twitter.com/PHAvyALkHd
