The epic road trip continues as the Dynamo head to Columbus to face the struggling Crew. It's not a must win, but it's the type of match we'd like to see Houston take the full three points from.
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
KPRC Local 2 - 6 p.m. (Comcast: 12/HD 612; AT&T Uverse: 2/HD 1002; DirecTV: 2; Dish: SD 2)
KBME 790 (ENG Radio)
La Ranchera 850 (SPN Radio)
REFEREE:
Chris Penso. MLS Career: 16 games; FC/gm: 23.2; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 5; pens: 10
INJURY REPORT:
COLUMBUS CREW -- OUT: FW Ben Speas (sports hernia rehab); DF Rich Balchan (sports hernia rehab); FW Tommy Heinemann (L knee surgery); DF Julius James (illness); GK William Hesmer (R hip surgery); DOUBTFUL: MF Dilly Duka (L hamstring strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Danny O'Rourke (L ankle sprain); MF Kevan George (concussion); PROBABLE: DF Carlos Mendes (R hamstring strain)
HOUSTON DYNAMO -- OUT: MF Brad Davis (L calf strain); FW Brian Ownby (L elbow dislocation)
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
ALL-TIME (12 meetings): Crew 4 wins, 15 goals ... Dynamo 2 wins, 11 goals ... Ties 6
AT COLUMBUS (6 meetings): Crew 3 wins, 10 goals ... Dynamo 1 win, 6 goals ... Ties 2
RETURN MATCH: 8/19: Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew, 8 p.m. CT
LAST YEAR (MLS):
6/18: HOU 0, CLB 2 (Mendoza 41; Anor 77) 9/14: CLB 2, HOU 2 (Mendoza 64, 76 - Watson 34; Carr 86)
The Dynamo haven't defeated the Crew since a 2-0 win Aug. 2, 2008. The Crew have won three of the last six meetings, with three draws. The Crew had a three-game winning streak vs. Houston at Crew Stadium before the clubs played to a 2-2 draw in the second meeting a year ago. The Crew's win at Robertson Stadium last year was their first ever. The teams had played to draws in four of the first five encounters there; the Dynamo won 2-0 on Aug. 2, 2008.
Coaches record: Robert Warzycha vs. HOU: P6 W3 L0 D3 ... Dominic Kinnear vs. CLB: P16 W4 L6 D6