Dynamo Travel to New England Still Looking for their First Road Victory

by Zach Woosley on Aug 16, 2011 11:30 AM CDT in Match Previews

The Houston Dynamo travel to face the New England Revolution tomorrow night with a chance to move in to third place in the Eastern Conference. Standing in Houston's way is a Revolution team whose playoffs hopes are slipping and the Dynamo's apparent inability to win a match on the road this season. If there was ever a great time for the team to break the streak, it's now.

Despite a sloppy second half against Portland on Sunday, the Dynamo were able to hold off the Timbers and extend their unbeaten streak to three matches (The Dynamo have only lost once in their last eight matches) picking up a key three points in the playoff race as well. We all knew this team would need to make a late summer run to stay in the playoff race and the Dynamo are doing just that. The acquisition of Adam Moffat is looking more and more like a great trade as the midfielder has fit right in to Kinnear's midfield, scoring his first goal on Sunday.

Carlo Costly continues to adapt to MLS and his teammates and should continue to improve as well, giving Houston a boost up front to help Brian Ching who has been playing some of his best soccer since the Dynamo were winning MLS Cups.

With the short turnaround and travel, there could be some adjustments to Kinnear's lineup tomorrow night depending on if anyone picked up an injury or isn't recovering quick enough.

What lineup are you expecting and can the Dynamo finally get a victory on the road?

Dynamo Notes:

Houston forward Brian Ching has a great personal history against New England, netting eight times in 12 regular-season games (three times in six games for Houston) and scoring the game-tying goal in overtime in the 2006 MLS Cup final en route to MVP honors.
The Dynamo are looking for their first road win of the season on Saturday night, but they have earned seven ties in 11 road games so far this season while allowing just 14 goals on the road. Furthermore, the Dynamo have tied four of their five road games against conference opposition this season.
The Dynamo have lost just once in their last eight games (3-1-4), and summer acquisitions Adam Moffat and Carlo Costly have helped in the last several outings. Houston is 2-0-1 in Moffat's three starts, and his 40-yard goal against Portland last week is a contender for MLS Goal of the Week. Costly has appeared in the last two games, starting against Portland.
Houston midfielder Brad Davis, who currently leads Major League Soccer with 11 assists, can tie the club record for career starts in all competitions if he is named to the lineup on Wednesday. Davis has made 169 starts over six years for Houston, one behind former goalkeeper Pat Onstad's mark of 170. Davis is already the all-time club leader in appearances and assists.
Dynamo captain Brian Ching scored his fourth goal of the season against Portland on Sunday, tying him for the team lead with Will Bruin, Geoff Cameron, and Cam Weaver. Ching's goals have come in only 721 minutes (the others each have played more than 1,300), and the Dynamo are unbeaten in their last 10 games (4-0-6) when Ching starts.
Houston has scored first in nine out of 24 games on the season; the Dynamo are 6-1-2 when notching the first goal and 1-6-6 when the opponent scores first; there have been two 0-0 ties.
Midfielder Colin Clark has started the last three games at right midfield after missing a game due to a red- card suspension, and he has produced a goal and two assists in helping Houston to a 2-0-1 record.

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Dare we

dream and whisper the name that dare not be spoken: road win? I think we can, I really do…and not just coming off the euphoria of 3 consecutive positive performances, the evidence is showing we’re more active and this is actually yielding results. I do feel this is the chance for Costly to start his Dynamo account, though I’m glad Dom is monitoring everyone’s health and minutes as we can’t bust our guts and leave nothing for RSL on Saturday. A draw tomorrow would be disappointing but certainly not the end of the world.

I do have a question that has yet to be answered: where the hell is Camargo?? I’ve asked Glenn Davis, JdJO and while I don’t exactly bet the house on a response from either it still bears asking where he is. I mean, we’re renting him for the rest of the season and as far as I know he’s not even practicing. I realize there’s paperwork and the like but if we can’t get that sorted out we should’ve never made the deal to begin with. The clock is ticking and we brought him in to help, presumably, but at this rate he may get playing time when the season is almost over. To me, quite a bit of the off-season moves will be dictated by his play: if he is the answer at CM/CAM then sign him to a deal, if not then we have to keep looking and probably keep Cameron there. It also will greatly aid in Costly’s play (even though I’m very encouraged that he’s not relying on it and trying to move around regardless). I don’t know about you, but when I plunk down money to rent something I intend to use it right away…just didn’t know if anyone had any updates.

In any event, if Moffat can keep up the play and Cameron can keep playing with his head up I think we have a good chance of getting the full points against NER. My only concern is they’re in “wounded animal” mode and you never quite know what you’re gonna get. With the Houston weather not a factor we can press more and take advantage of their inconsistent play.

Oh yeah, any updates on Clark?

by Michael_D on Aug 16, 2011 12:54 PM CDT reply actions