Despite the same-day travel, less than ideal field conditions, and a few re-introductions into the Matchday 18, Head Coach Caleb Porter's side felt that all things considered, Saturday's road point remained a solid result.
"I think it’s a game you have to kind of keep in perspective, overall," Porter said after securing Columbus Crew SC's first point at BBVA Stadium since Sept. 13, 2014.
"We’re on the road, we traveled three hours on a flight [on the] same day of the game, playing on a choppy field, we go down a goal … I think when you consider all those things, I think it’s a good point. It’s a good comeback."
When asked if the team's performance in Houston lacked the same intensity the team displayed in last Sunday's win vs. New York City FC, Porter disagreed, explaining it was a different type of game than the Crew has had to play recently.
"I think it was a tactical game, more of a chess match. I don’t think either team created a ton, but I didn’t think it was because of lack of intensity," Porter said. "I think it was just more of the way the match was being played by both teams."
Saturday's Starting XI included Eloy Roomand Darlington Nagbe, while Lucas Zelarayanfeatured for the final 45 minutes. Additionally, recent acquisition Krisztian Nemeth made his first start for Columbus (10-4-5, 35 pts.) after a late scratch for Gyasi Zardes.
HIGHLIGHTS | Houston Dynamo 1 - 1 Columbus Crew SC
Nagbe, who completed each of his 42 passes in his first start since Sept. 6, said he felt the Crew showed a more pressing side in the second half as he continues to get back to 100-percent with more playing time.
"I thought [in the] second half we came out, pressed them well, and got on the ball a little bit more, and got some chances, and got going a little bit," Nagbe said.
"They had some at the end of the second half, but overall, a point may be a fair result, but we wanted more."
Columbus won 29 duels (51 percent) in the second half, compared to 18 (45 percent) in the opening 45 minutes. Additionally, Saturday's draw marked the third time this season the Black & Gold have salvaged a point from a losing position.
Room, who totaled five saves in his first start since Oct. 3, said Saturday's game was a match defined by a few key moments, and it's something the Crew will keep in mind going into Wednesday's game at D.C. United.
"We have to learn from it, and at the end of the day, a point on the road is not bad," Room said. "I think we also had some chances to score, and we have to learn from that also. In these games, a couple of moments are really important. We had some moments, and we have to be smarter in some moments."
GOAL | Luis Diaz's cross ends up in the back of the net
Now, Columbus preps for another quick turnaround on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at D.C. United, where Columbus has not earned a regular-season result since March 18, 2017.
The 2020 home stretch means four games in 12 days for the Crew, but with Nagbe, Room, and Zelarayan featuring again, Porter remained confident about the state of his squad.
"For sure we’re going to get better. It’s great to be healthy with Eloy and healthy with Darlington and Lucas and that chemistry will definitely get better and better as we go through these last four games now."
Kickoff at D.C. United is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
