The Houston Dynamo are now winless in their last four games after welcoming back to BBVA Compass Stadium former coach Dominic Kinnear in a 1 - 0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. Not only has the team failed to take advantage of a three game home stand, they've given up ten goals during the past four games, securing a meager two points along the way.

This match saw the Dynamo concede the first goal, again, this time in the second half off a set piece from Matias Perez Garcia that found a completely unmarked Adam Jahn in the six yard box for a simple header. The Dynamo defense was caught ball watching and failed to notice the run from Jahn. Tyler Deric could only stand a watch as the ball was sent past him into the net.

For the second consecutive game the Dynamo dominated possession against their opponent but failed to capitalize on it. Of the 14 shots created by the offense, only three were on target. None of those were the best chances, though. The first, best chance for the team came off a corner kick in the 16th minute when defender Raul Rodriguez was unmarked at the far post. His diving header sent the ball above the goal, somehow missing a wide open net.

Just a minute later saw Ricardo Clark attempt to chip the keeper towards that same post when he noticed David Bingham step away from the net. His attempt was just wide and high, though. The Earthquakes responded by sending a looping cross into the box that found the head of US International Chris Wondolowski, but the World Cup Veteran couldn't keep the ball down.

In the 35th minute, young Honduran Alex Lopez made an impressive thirty yard dash back to strip the ball from the 'Quakes and set up an immediate counter attack. Brad Davis found himself on the top of the box but his curling shot went just wide of the far post.

Another great chance for the Dynamo came in the 53rd minute when Barnes got past the defense and went one on one with Bingham. The Jamaican went for power instead of precision and sent his shot high. Just four minutes later saw Oscar Garcia skip past several defenders in the box only to be tripped up by Bingham for the penalty. The referee elected not to give a card, yellow or red, to the Earthquakes keeper. Barnes stepped up to take the shot only for it to be saved easily to keep the 'Quakes on top 1 - 0.

The last real chance for the Dynamo came when Will Bruin, subbed into the match for Alex Lopez, took a quick shot through traffic just outside the box. His chance beat Bingham but rolled inches wide of the post.

With the loss, the Dynamo drop to 8th place in the Western Conference, just a point ahead of the Colorado Rapids (who have a game in hand). The Earthquakes sit in 4th place as a result. The Dynamo gets a little bit of a breather before traveling to Toronto to open up their renovated stadium Sunday. Dominic Kinnear and the Earthquakes face the Rapids at Dicks Sporting Good Park Friday night.

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About the author
Kyle Nowotny
Long-time Houston sports fan, season-ticket holder for the Houston Dynamo and sports writer since August 2014. BA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston.