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Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo return home this week to begin their 2020 run at the MLS playoffs under new head coach Tab Ramos. The team has spent the last week in Tuscon warming up against some MLS and USL sides.
Despite the revamping during the off-season, the play of the men in orange does look much different then last season. Unfortunately, it appears that some of the same issues facing the team on defense last year are still there this year.
The team gave up five goals in three matches versus New York Red Bulls, Real Salt Lake and the Columbus Crew. All five goals came in two matches and all within the first 23 minutes of play. Even scarier, four of the five were scored in the first 12 minutes of play. Maybe the most troubling was that all six Dynamo goals came in the second half of play, four of those six came between the 52nd and 60th minute of play.
We can only hope that come Saturday’s opener when the LA Galaxy step on the pitch with Chicharito, they will be ready. Houston holds the all-time series edge 12-11-7. Kick-off is slated for 2:30p.m. CT.
Houston Dash
Things don’t get any easier for the Dash this season as they open the season at home against the defending champion North Carolina Courage. In the off-season, the team traded away their captain Kealia Ohai and their backline anchor Amber Brooks.
Although things have been quiet on the homefront, one wonders how fast this team can gel and finally make some noise in the playoffs. The best news this offseason was the fact that Rachel Daly returns. Daly will anchor the team up top, although with playmaker Sofia Huerta also traded in the off-season, many will ask, “who is the facillitator?”
The backline continues to be a work in progress. Fortunately, goalkeeper Jane Campbell is still between the pipes and one of the best in the game. How everything else turns out remains to be seen.
James Clarkson is a top notch identifier of talent, so despite the many questions, fans can put their faith in him that he knows what he is doing and can get this team into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.