Dynamo/Dash Delivery: Important week ahead for the Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo began a three game in seven day span starting with the opening of the Texas Derby on Saturday afternoon. The 1-1 draw for the Dynamo in Frisco, is a solid point for the team to build on. With that game now over with, the team still has a busy week ahead. Here are three things to look out for this week that will lead to success for the Dynamo.

Fafa Power

The Houston Dynamo began this journey with a short trip up the interstate for a tilt with FC Dallas. It was a game in which Fafa Picault led the orange and black into his own stomping grounds. It was a two goal outing last Halloween by Picault of FCD that emboldened the Dynamo FC to make a trade for the veteran winger. In his first game back in Frisco, Picault scored the Dynamo’s lone goal, converting a penalty kick.

”It depends on how you are built, I am just a competitor,” Picault said last week. “So, even if I am playing with my friends and we are playing pickup in the offseason, I am trying to win. Nothing changes here, this is my job. I am at a new club, I’m at a different club. Obviously, when I was playing for Dallas, I was 100 percent Dallas. Now I’m playing for Houston, I am 100 percent Houston. If we have to play against Philadelphia at some time in the playoff, then I’ll be for Houston too. As much as I loved Philly and my time in Dallas, I play for Houston now. I play for the guys that are next to me and the fans that are supporting us. That is the most important thing, once the whistle blows friendships are over for the 90 minutes plus and you just have to go out and fight for the points.” Fafa certainly endeared the fans of his new team with his performance on Saturday.

Win at Home

After a point on the road, the Dynamo now come home. With two road games in a week sandwiched around a mid-week match with Sporting Kansas City at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday night, it’s important that the Dynamo set the tone for this season by getting as many points at home as possible.

It’s a long season in Major League Soccer and if the Dynamo are going to be in playoff contention at the end of the year, they are going to need to get maximum points at home, especially considering their road form in recent years. Wednesday’s match is huge, and with squad rotation likely, it could be time for some players who have been on the bench to step up and help the team in a big way.

Strong in the Back

The Houston defense will determine the fate of the week. Tim Parker leads a back line that has done well but has lapsed at some critical moments this season. It’s understandably part of the growing pains but somewhere continuity and chemistry have to take hold. Nothing like a three game run in seven days, with two on the road, to show a team’s mettle. Maynor Figueroa’s return to the starting lineup on Saturday seemed to settle things down in the back and his veteran leadership is hopefully going to help going forward.

Keep an eye out to see how the team improves it that aspect this week. If they do, Houston may come back with a collection of points. If not, it could be a long week.