Match Day Preview: Houston Dynamo vs Columbus Crew

The Houston Dynamo hope to ride last weekends road win over Chivas USA to a home win over the Columbus Crew.

Last game saw the Dynamo switch up formations on the field as well as add Servando Carracso to the starting lineup. Despite going down early to Chivas they were able to quickly bounce back and pile on the goals giving the team the mental boost it needed.

After going from no goals on the season to two last game expect Giles Barnes to come into this game with a lot of confidence in front of the net. Confidence may have also returned to Will Bruin who also netted a goal last game. With Brad Davis now fully returned from injury the forwards are getting the service they need from the midfield which should result in more goals.

The back four will face a tougher test this week against the Crew than they did against Chivas. Mental lapses have been the undoing of the backline all season, but they slowly seem to be clearing the mental murk.

Know Your Enemy-The Crew

Despite a current five game win-less streak the Columbus Crew are currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference. Don't be surprised to see them control possession throughout the game, keeping possession in the midfield as much as possible. But finishing has been the bane of the Crew's season so far. Something like Will Bruin last season their goal scorers haven't been able to keep the ball down and put it in the back of the net.

In which should be a huge advantage for the Dynamo Wil Trapp will miss the game due to a second yellow card he received in the Crew's last game. The holding midfielder had been a huge part of the Crew's midfield this season and may leave a hole for the Dynamo to exploit. Already this season he has racked up over 700 touches on the ball and ranks second in MLS in successful passes.

The Crew like to push up the field playing a high line in the midfield drawing the center backs forward. This leaves the team exposed on counter attacks something the Dynamo have the ability to punish a team for. If the Dynamo want to win they will need to push up the field and disrupt the Crew's plan of attack. Going through the now Trapp-less midfield may give them the best advantage for goal scoring.

They will face off against the Crew at BBVA Compass stadium, Wednesday, May 5 at 7pm CT.