Houston Dynamo (6-7-9, 27 pts.) at Philadelphia (8-5-8, 32 pts.)
PPL Park - Chester, PA - 6:00 pm
REFEREE: Terry Vaughn - MLS Career: 149 games; FC/gm: 28.4; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 48; pens: 49
INJURY REPORT:
OUT: FW Will Bruin (L knee surgery); MF Danny Cruz (R quad strain); QUESTIONABLE: FW Calen Carr (concussion)
It's a testament to the struggles on the Eastern Conference that despite Houston's struggles this season, a win today in Chester, PA could move the Dynamo within four points on the top spot in the conference table. Last week's resounding victory over Seattle has given the side confidence and the midweek acquisition of Honduran forward Carlos Costly, who will be available today, has finally brought the club a much needed offensive reinforcement.
Still, the Dynamo have yet to win on the road in 2011 and PPL Park is not an easy place to try to shed that undesirable label. Houston will need another solid defensive performance and a big game from captain Brian Ching who played like a man possessed (in a positive sense) against the Sounders.