The Dynamo needed goals, but coach Wilmer Cabrera knew they were not going to get them unless they got tougher and more aggressive on defense.
Though the Dynamo scored in the first minute of Wednesday's Texas Derby and led FC Dallas for nearly the entire first half, they were on their heels for an extended period.
They eventually paid for it in swift fashion when FC Dallas turned its deficit into a lead by scoring in the 45th minute and again in first-half added time.
At halftime, Cabrera said he implored his players to be more physical.