By the numbers: D.C. United at Houston Dynamo

When a team plays down a man for more than 70 minutes – as D.C. United did in a 4-0 loss to Houston on Sunday night – the statistics are bound to be heavily tilted against them.  Here’s a look at some of the numbers that best tell the story of this weekend’s difficult defeat at BBVA Compass Stadium.

92%

When a team plays down a man for more than 70 minutes – asD.C. United did in a 4-0 loss to Houston on Sunday night – the statistics arebound to be heavily tilted against them. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that best tell the story of thisweekend’s difficult defeat at BBVA Compass Stadium.

92%

Houston’s passing accuracy.  Sure the Dynamo had a numerical advantage, but they stillhad to take advantage of it - and did. United completed a respectable 77% of its passes, but with DominicKinnear’s side rarely turning the ball over there was little chance for the type ofcounter-attack that might have given D.C. a lifeline. 

27

Passes attempted by Perry Kitchen.  A good way to measure a team’s hold on the ball is how manypasses the players in central midfield attempt.  Kitchen attempted 62 passes when D.C. dominated possession in theclub’s 3-0 win over Montreal on June 30. Through no fault of his own, that number dropped dramatically againstHouston, and the Dynamo enjoyed a stranglehold on possession (67.5% - 32.5%) asa result.

40

Duels won by D.C. United, compared to 37 for Houston.  The lone category that theBlack-and-Red carried on a rough night, this stat offers some tangible evidenceof D.C.’s fight long after the outcome had presumably been decided.

6

The number of Will Bruin’s 15 career goals that have comeagainst the Black-and-Red.  The6-foot-2 striker is quickly becoming a D.C.-killer and - at just 22-years-old -there’s no reason to suspect he won’t be in Houston’s ‘brilliant’ orange forthe foreseeable future.  His 37thminute tap-in was no thing of beauty, but it effectively ended any United hopesof rescuing a point.