Dynamo Theory - Matchday 5: Houston Dynamo vs New England Revolution
You may all go to hell and I will support the Dynamo.
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48763/dynamotheory-fave.png
2014-04-16T10:30:02-05:00
http://www.dynamotheory.com/rss/stream/5367219
2014-04-16T10:30:02-05:00
2014-04-16T10:30:02-05:00
Frente frío afecta al Houston Dynamo
<figure>
<img alt="Al menos Cochran no se quedo helado..." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tlpFF2L3vvWtmTtl2ptyCkhHQ3s=/0x342:2870x2255/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31613247/484446249.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Al menos Cochran no se quedo helado... | Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hace frío estos días en Houston... frío, como el Dynamo...</p> <p>Hace poco que empezamos la primavera y las temperaturas van subiendo hasta un nivel cómodo, salvo esta semana que por alguna razón sentiremos temperaturas de invierno en Houston. Es algo apropiado, pues el <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> sigue frío como si su invierno particular aun no quiere terminar.</p>
<p>New England le ha propinado la tercera derrota consecutiva a los naranja, y el comienzo prometedor de los primeros dos partidos es solo una memoria. La última vez que el Dynamo perdió tres juegos consecutivos fue el año que no llegó a los playoffs.</p>
<p>Al final <span>Brad Davis</span> no pudo jugar y el equipo como que se quedó sin ofensiva. Cero disparos llegaron a la meta de New England. Eso no es de un equipo ganador. En los últimos cuatro partidos el saldo es un gol de rebote y dos tras faltas sacadas por Davis. Sin el capitán el Dynamo se cae, tal y como se ha visto en ocasiones anteriores. <span>Will Bruin</span> y <span>Giles Barnes</span> mantienen la titularidad pero no convencen; y eso frustra mucho a los fanáticos.</p>
<p><span>Mark Sherrod</span>, un novato que podría aportar ofensiva aérea, espera su momento pero no llega. Mientras, la necesidad obligó a Kinnear a confiar en el otro novato A. J. Cochran para la zaga central. Cochran aguantó. De hecho el otro central <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> fue el que no tuvo un buen día. Su mal rechace en el primer gol y su falta de esfuerzo (¿cansancio o desánimo?) en el segundo fueron fatales. Cochran sí corrió a tratar de evitar el 2-0 mientras Taylor quedó atrás. Las críticas en los foros de Internet no se han hecho esperar.</p>
<p>El equipo está en una racha de frío invernal y algo debe cambiar radicalmente para los dos próximos partidos de visitante. <span>David Horst</span> vuelve, pero tiene que volver el Bruin del partido inaugural o las cosas en Houston se pondrán calientes, pero en otro sentido no tan agradable.</p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/dynamo-theory-en-espanol/2014/4/16/5613994/houston-dynamo-v-new-england-revolution-sigue-el-invierno-polar
GeorgeRafael
2014-04-15T09:30:02-05:00
2014-04-15T09:30:02-05:00
Player Ratings: Houston Dynamo v New England Revs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6TmYxu3DutbeS0LU_BP4Z8BHcz4=/0x178:4000x2845/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31633525/484446027.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Dynamo extended their losing streak to 3 games as they were dropped 2-0 by the New England Revolution. The Dynamo sat back and withstood a barrage of chances by the Revs and managed a few chances of their own, but defensive miscues have returned and the Revolution capitalized on both chances. </p> <p></p>
<p>As I <a href="http://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/4/11/5602948/matchday-preview-houston-dynamo-vs-new-england-revolution-david-horst">mentioned in the preview</a>, this game had the makings of a trap game. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">Revolution</a> came out highly motivated to turn their entire season around as the least scoring team in MLS. They ended up doubling their goal tally by scoring twice...on Tally. The opening 15 minutes or so were dominated by both teams feeling each other out. By that, I mean there was no real winner in terms of possession, both teams turned the ball over constantly, and if you played a drinking game to how many times the ball went out of bounds you probably missed the rest of the game - good for you. After that, the Revolution found ways to press the Dynamo by flexing their 5-man midfield and gained momentum by simply stopping our own momentum followed by a quick counter attack rather than steady build up play. This led to rushed chances by the Revs, but chances nevertheless. The Dynamo were able to absorb most of this pressure until one defensive miscue opened things up for New England. After that, the Dynamo found more chances, but were killed on the counter and left exposed. This led to the second goal of the match which was <span>Tally Hall's</span> gaffe for coming off his line to challenge a ball which he didn't get.</p>
<p>My point of sort of recapping this in the player ratings is to show that while the defense/goal keeper made errors, they absorbed chance after chance the entire match. However, I am firmly in the camp that if you keep the ball near someone's goal long enough, eventually it'll go in, and that's what happened.</p>
<p><b><br><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> Player Ratings:</b> <br><br><b>Tally Hall (6.5)</b> - Hall kept the Dynamo's hopes in this one by making several big saves. Even after the first goal and the Dynamo switched out of a defensively oriented style of play he made some good stops. He did really flub on the second goal and should not have gone out to try and win that ball, and for that he loses my man of the match vote.</p>
<p><br><b><span>Kofi Sarkodie</span> (6)</b> - The Dynamo defense as a whole was able to withstand most of what New England threw at them. Sarkodie was very good at making some of these stops, but he like most of the Dynamo failed to make a significant impact further up the field.</p>
<p><br><b><span>Jermaine Taylor</span> (4.5)</b> - Taylor is still not looking like his usual self, and though I don't think he was completely responsible for the Dynamo loss, I understand why people might think so, and his poor clearance into Teal Bunbury's leg led to Kevin Alston's goal which changed everything (goals usually do). If we're being fair to Taylor, a goal was coming regardless of his gaffe...but it was his gaffe and with his form this season, we all kind of knew it may be on him if a goal was leaked.</p>
<p><br><b>A.J. Cochran, MotM, (7)</b> - The rookie who was given his first big minutes last week against Dallas earned the start. Cochran did more than enough to prove he had a place in this lineup as he won nearly every header that came his way, made crucial stops that kept the Dynamo from leaking a goal, and was a target for set pieces and crosses. He just needs to work a bit on his aim with his headers, but he'll get there. Many Dynamo fans are already calling for a Horst/Cochran CB tandem due to Taylor's slow start to the year, and I'd be okay with that if Cochran continues to play at this level.</p>
<p><br><b><span>Corey Ashe</span> (5.5)</b> - Ashe made a few good runs on offense, but as the Dynamo failed to maintain possession in the middle and final thirds of the pitch, he was forced into tracking back and defending most of the game. He covered effectively on the defensive end, but was lacking on the other end of the field - which is the story of the match for the Dynamo.</p>
<p><br><b><span>Ricardo Clark</span> (6.5) </b>- Clark made at least one crucial tackle around the box to keep things level, and did his usual disruptive work against the Revs even though he was outnumbered. He also did his best to try and revitalize the offense, but the Dynamo really couldn't find their groove in that area of the field. <br><br><b><span>Andrew Driver</span> (6)</b> - Driver was slotted in his more comfortable left side as Davis sat out so he wouldn't aggravate his ankle injury on New England's artificial turf. Driver played much better than he had in recent weeks and played with more energy than many of our other midfielders or forwards. Driver won the ball in dangerous spots, tracked back on defense well, and was typically making good runs when the Dynamo made attempts on goal.</p>
<p><br><b>Oscar Boniek Garcia (6)</b> - Boniek tried to be the energy-bringer that he usually is, but was often slowed in the midfield. He went off for a short while in the first half after a knock, but re-entered the match and didn't show signs of lingering pain or injury. <br><br><b><span>Tony Cascio</span> (5)</b> - Cascio was a bit of a non-factor in this game and he really shouldn't have been. Early into the match the Dynamo played out wide as they were feeling out the Revs, and it was fairly evenly matched with the ball not staying in their half as much. Then they stopped and Cascio saw less of the ball and the Dynamo had to sit back most of the time. Cascio wasn't very active defensively when he should have been, but didn't see much of the ball either. His only really memorable moment in the match was his shot in the first half that went over the crossbar - at the time it was the Dynamo's best look on goal.</p>
<p><b><br><span>Giles Barnes</span> (6)</b> - Barnes continued his streak of doing lots of good things, but failing to find the goal or an assist. Barnes had at least one clever flick that nearly turned things in the Dynamo's favor, but those chances were stopped by the Revs. Barnes's headers and passing seemed a bit off, but he was still able to make a few dangerous runs in.</p>
<p><br><b><span>Will Bruin</span> (5)</b> - Where's Will? This game was won in the midfield by the Revs and the forwards suffered because of it. Whenever the Dynamo got it up the field, it was usually to an overlapping midfielder or to Barnes. The few times Bruin had a chance on goal he usually passed it away. I believe that's a sign of a lack of confidence. Bruin did play well defensively, managing some clearing headers, and he did play better when Cummings was in the game, but overall "Where's Will?" is the question many of us were asking while watching.</p>
<p><b>The Subs: </b><br><b><br><span>Warren Creavalle</span> (5.5) </b>- Creavalle came on for Cascio after the goal was scored and pushed Boniek back onto the right side. This improved the quality of play on the wings, but the Revs ran through the middle as Clark pushed higher up and Creavalle was burned in the process a few times. He wasn't bad, just the midfield battle was over and even though the Dynamo gained some ground with Creavalle, they were beaten too often on the counter attack as they were caught too high up the field.</p>
<p><b><span>Omar Cummings</span> (6) </b>- Omar Cummings came on for Driver and had a few good runs. The ball never really fell to his feet which really would have opened things up, but a few of the long lob balls were almost effective at least. Cummings showed that just by being on the field he's capable of drawing at least two defenders and that opened things up a bit more for Bruin late.</p>
<p><b><br> Coach Dominic Kinnear (6) </b>- I really want to be a bit harsher with this one because the game was winnable. New England came out to not only redeem their loss to us in the beginning of the year, but really to redeem for a lousy start to their year. Kinnear's side was looking to bounce back after two straight losses, one being a big loss to rival FCD, but we looked very content on sitting back and allowing the Revolution to dominate the midfield. One reason they did win was because of their 5 man midfield, but our defenders never really pushed up to help us win those necessary possession battles. To Kinnear's credit, the tactic of sitting back and making the most of the opportunities given was working until the Revs opened up the scoring which forced a tactical shift. That shift allowed for more opportunities for the Dynamo, but that 5-man midfield killed the Dynamo on counter attacks.</p>
<p>Presently, we're left with more questions than we had going into the match. Some of those questions include: Given Taylor's and Cochran's performances, who gets the start next week? Forward production continues to be a problem, so does Dom shake things up or ride it out? Road woes, even to weaker opponents, have been a theme for the Dynamo nearly every year - how does the Dynamo figure out how to win outside of our comfort zone?</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/4/15/5615654/player-ratings-houston-dynamo-v-new-england-revs-aj-cochran-tally-hall
Gribbs
2014-04-12T18:20:32-05:00
2014-04-12T18:20:32-05:00
RECAP: Dynamo Fall 2-0 to Revolution
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/keop4e8iA9DoW8mwO6RItDgKmvs=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31537431/484444903.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jim Rogash</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After thrashing the Revolution on opening day the Dynamo failed to dominate the second time around. </p> <p>Before the match even started the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> were without <span>David Horst</span> who was serving a red card suspension and captain <span>Brad Davis</span> who suffered an injury in their last game. Fans hoped that the team would manage to bring home a point from the road, but it wasn't to be after a bad defensive breakdown lead to a New England goal and a huge lapse from Tally Hall left the team with a 2-0 loss.</p>
<p>It took until 16 minutes into the match before the first real chance by either team. The Revs Andy Dorman sent in a right-wing cross that <span>Saer Sene</span> attempted to head in, but the ball went wide-right of the net. Later, the Dynamo's first real shot came from <span>Tony Cascio</span>, but his left-footed shot went high and wide of the net. In the 25th minute <span>Tally Hall</span> dove to his right to stop a shot from Fagundez in the first of many saves he would be forced to make. New England who have already had one own goal this season almost had themselves another after <span>Giles Barnes</span> floated the ball in and Alston almost headed it back into his own net.</p>
<p>After a sliding tackle from <span>Ricardo Clark</span> in the 41st minute, Revolution captain <span>Jose Goncalves</span> was forced to come off with a right quad injury leaving the Dynamo with a better chance at the net.</p>
<p>New England came out pushing hard in the second half while the Dynamo couldn't seem to get it together. Houston had a nervy moment early on after <span>Diego Fagundez</span> got around Driver and passed the ball to Teal Bunbury. However, Bunbury was unable to get around the rookie A.J. Cochran and was forced to foul the defender. In the 68th minute Kobayshi and Bunbury worked to get the ball free as Alston got around Cascio. Dynamo defender <span>Jermaine Taylor</span> failed to clear the ball and Alston rifled the ball into the net leaving Hall unable to stop it. After the goal the Dynamo began to push forward as they tried to level the match, but the couldn't find any rhythm offensively. But the final nail in the coffin came during stoppage time as Tally Hall came way off his line, and completely failed to get to the ball, allowing <span>Jerry Bengtson</span> an easy goal.</p>
<p>Leaving the Dynamo to lose 2-0 to the Revolution in yet another road loss for the Dynamo. This was the first of three road matches for the team. The team plays again next Saturday against the <a href="https://www.brotherlygame.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Union</a> and hopefully in the interim the team finds some goals.</p>
<p><b>Houston: </b>Hall; Sarkodie, Taylor, Cochran, Ashe; Cascio(Creavalle 69'), Clark ©, García, Driver (Cummings75'); Bruin, Barnes</p>
<p><i>Goals: None </i></p>
<p><b>New England: </b>Shuttleworth; Alston, Goncalves © (Barnes 41'), Soares, Farrell; Dorman; Fagundez, Nguyen, Kobayashi (Caldwell 71'), Sene (Bengtson 78'); Bunbury</p>
<p><i>Goals: Alston, Bengston</i></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/4/12/5608530/recap-houston-dynamo-new-england-2-0
Alicia Tolar
2014-04-12T15:00:02-05:00
2014-04-12T15:00:02-05:00
Live Gamethread: Houston Dynamo vs New England Rev
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BdviDU34fnGuMaJWOCMvEVC-OYI=/0x38:4000x2705/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31451037/20140317_kkt_an4_262.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Dynamo dominated their opening day match against the Revolution now on the road they hope to get the same results. </p> <p><b>The Basics</b></p>
<p>Houston Dynamo vs New England Revolution</p>
<p>Saturday, April 11, 4pm CT</p>
<p>Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Mass</p>
<p><b>Broadcast Information</b></p>
<p>CSN Houston 3:30 Pre-game</p>
<p>Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 AM and 850 AM (Spanish).</p>
<p><b>Preview</b></p>
<p>A pair of Eastern Conference clubs looking to return to their winning ways meet when the New England Revolution entertain the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution return home following a 2-0 loss at D.C. United last weekend, after winning their first game of the year. The Dynamo have dropped back-to-back contests, coming off a 4-1 defeat by arch-rivals FC Dallas at home at BBVA Compass Stadium last weekend.</p>
<p><b>REFEREE:</b> Edvin Jurisevic. AR1 (bench): James Conlee; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Robert Sibiga MLS Career: 69 games; FC/gm: 22.5; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 9; pens: 10</p>
<p><a style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" href="http://www.methodisthealth.com/SportsMedicine"><b>Injury Report Presented by Houston Methodist</b></a> (<b>As of Thursday, April 10</b>)</p>
<p><b><u>Dynamo:</u></b> <b>OUT: Eric Brunner</b> - R ankle surgery <b>DOUBTFUL</b>: <b>Brad Davis -- </b>R ankle sprain <b> </b></p>
<p><b><br></b><b><u>New England:</u></b> <b>QUESTIONABLE: </b><b>Kelyn Rowe</b> -- L hamstring strain; <b>Donnie Smith</b> -- L foot contusion; <b>Chris Tierney</b> -- L hip irritation</p>
<p><b>SUSPENDED</b>: NE: Jay Heaps (head coach; through April 13) ... HOU: David Horst (through April 13)</p>
<p><b>DISABLED LIST:</b> none</p>
<p><b>INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES:</b> none</p>
<p><b>HEAD-TO-HEAD</b></p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>ALL-TIME (17 meetings): Revolution 7 wins, 22 goals ... Dynamo 4 wins, 17 goals ... Ties 6 </li>
<li>AT NEW ENGLAND (9 meetings): Revolution 2 wins, 13 goals ... Dynamo 2 wins, 12 goals ... Ties 5</li>
</ul>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/4/12/5603188/live-gamethread-houston-dynamo-vs-new-england-revolution
Alicia Tolar
2014-04-12T09:30:02-05:00
2014-04-12T09:30:02-05:00
Four Questions With The Bent Musket
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GojAE3juIlL-7wrzmGyUQ-OHIoQ=/0x486:4000x3153/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31451217/20140329_jla_as8_266.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Spor</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After facing off in week one the Dynamo are once again facing the New England Revolution. I had a chance to talk with Corey Major about what has been happening, or not happening as it were, with the team since then. </p> <p><b>1. So far New England has four points from five games. Prior to the season starting a number of writers pegged the Revs as a top team to watch. What has gone wrong so far for this team? Has anything gone right? </b></p>
<p>As was feared by many in the offseason, the Revs probably didn't do quite enough in the transfer market to keep pace with other teams. <span>Teal Bunbury</span> was a welcome addition, but he doesn't have the same skillset in Heaps' lineup that <span>Juan Agudelo</span> had. So, I guess you could say the "winning formula" from 2013 is a little off. That's resulted in only a single goal for the Revs (not counting San Jose's own goal from a couple weeks ago). But Heaps' squad always seems to come out of the gate a little gun-shy, so no one's rushing to their respective panic rooms just yet. What's gone right? Well, they resolved <span>Jose Goncalves</span>' contract issues. So, that's a big step in the right direction for us.</p>
<p><b>2. Teal Bunbury had yet to score a goal or an assist for the Revs this season. What will it take for him to start scoring for the team?</b><br><br>Teal is one of 4 or 5 strikers on this <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">Revolution</a> squad who struggles as a lone-forward. He, just like <span>Charlie Davies</span>, <span>Jerry Bengtson</span>, and <span>Patrick Mullins</span> (to name a few), would most likely benefit from a two-striker system rather than Heaps' preferred 4-1-4-1. I personally think that a tactical switch and a striking partner for Teal would get the goals flowing. Either that, or he just needs more time to get used to his role.</p>
<p><b>3. <span>Jay Heaps</span> is suspended for this game after being sent off in the 89th minutes of the Revs game against DC United. Assistant coach Tom Soehn will be running things in his place. How will this impact the team on the field? Do you expect to see a change in what sort of substitutions may be brought on during the game?</b></p>
<p><br>I don't think there will be much of a change, to be honest. But my hope is that Soehn will bring on subs sooner in the second half, especially if the Revs are chasing the game. As I wrote yesterday (link: <a target="_blank" href="http://bit.ly/1nbZtVV">http://bit.ly/1nbZtVV</a>), Heaps has been waiting until the 83rd minute to bring on a 2nd substitute (an attacker) during games where the Revs needed a goal. So, I'm hoping that Soehn will be willing to break that pattern.</p>
<p><br><b>4. The Dynamo are without <span>David Horst</span> (red card suspension) this weekend and are very thin at the CB position and may have a rookie starting at CB this weekend. How will the Revs be able to exploit this weakness?</b></p>
<p><br>The Revs desperately need to find their rhythm in the final third, so they'll take all the help they can get. My assumption is that Cochran will get the nod to start next to Taylor, and I'm hoping the rookie will lose track of one of our wingers (<span>Diego Fagundez</span> or <span>Saer Sene</span>) pinching in at some point leading to a New England goal. I can't say I'm overly confident that they'll be able to take advantage though.</p>
<p><br><b>5. Projected starting XI and scoreline prediction</b></p>
<p>(4-1-4-1 Left to Right)Knighton | Tierney - Goncalves - Soares - Farrrell | Dorman | Fagundez - Nguyen - Kobayashi - Sene | Imbongo<br>I'll say 1-1 final scoreline. Goals by Fagundez and Barnes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>Head over to </span><a href="http://www.thebentmusket.com/2014/4/12/5604314/new-england-revolution-houston-dynamo-2014-know-thy-enemy-horst-brunner-rivalry-east" target="_blank">The Bent Musket</a><span> for my answers to their burning questions.</span></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/4/12/5603200/four-questions-with-the-bent-musket-houston-dynamo-vs-new-england-revolution
Alicia Tolar
2014-04-11T09:30:03-05:00
2014-04-11T09:30:03-05:00
Matchday Preview: Houston Dynamo vs New England
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/6VOgwdmARKKmXMizvgHiMVTzSws=/0x132:4000x2799/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31448301/20140308_jla_an4_560.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Dynamo head to Foxborough to face the New England Revolution. Two sides with scoring woes meet for the 2nd time this season. The Dynamo are motivated by the loss to rival FC Dallas, while the Revolution are looking to break a serious slump that has plagued their year as well as get revenge against the Dynamo for besting them on opening day. </p> <p></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> will make the trek to Gillette Stadium to face the <a href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New England Revolution</a> this Saturday. The Dynamo are looking to bounce back after losing to Vancouver and then dropping a match at home to rival <a href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">FC Dallas</a>. This is the second time this year that the Dynamo have faced the Revs with the first meeting between the two resulting in a 4-0 win for the men in orange. The Dynamo will need a win, hopefully like that, to get the nasty taste out that was left by the loss to FC Dallas.</p>
<p>One question in the previous meeting was whether or not David Horst would be the answer at center back alongside Jermaine Taylor. Horst has more than proven worthy becoming a rock as well as a vocal leader out of the back in a short amount of time. However, due to <span>David Horst's</span> suspension <span>Dominic Kinnear</span> has to re-visit the issue of who to play next to Taylor. Kinnear has a number of options, but likely replacement <span>Eric Brunner</span> is not available for selection following his ankle surgery that puts him out eight weeks. Kinnear has to choose between players with less experience, or players who are not dominant at center back. Center back A.J. Cochran is one of the options with less experience, but he handled himself quite well in the game against FCD considering how many factors were stacked against him. <span>Anthony Arena</span> is another player now available as Dominic Kinnear has recalled him from his short loan stint with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Warren Creavalle and <span>Ricardo Clark</span> are also able to play the center back position.</p>
<p>Another injury concern is that of Captain Brad Davis. Davis injured his ankle against FC Dallas and was forced to come off before the half - even though he, like a boss, fought through some of the pain and managed to get an assist immediately following his injury.</p>
<p>Forward production remains an area of concern for the Dynamo. After the first game, against the Revolution, the Dynamo have failed to score more than one goal each game. Of the three games following their opener, a forward has only scored once. It hasn't been a very long time but a number of fans are beginning to believe a scoring drought is already here. <span>Will Bruin</span> terrorized New England early last match and netted himself two goals and an assist, and we all hope that level of forward production returns. If it doesn't, the goals will need to come from somewhere and Ricardo Clark has been the only player to answer that call thus far.</p>
<p>The Revolution have been having problems of their own, specifically scoring problems. New England is currently the least scoring team in MLS, having managed just two goals in five matches - one of those goals was an own goal by San Jose as well. This looks like it should be a good thing for the Dynamo and whoever replaces David Horst, but we should all look for the Revs to break this slump especially to the team that slammed them in the first match of the season. Yes, this game has the makeup of what some consider a trap game. Both teams are rested, but the Revolution is out to break their slump and could with the likes of <span>Diego Fagundez</span>, <span>Teal Bunbury</span>, <span>Lee Nguyen</span>, and super sub <span>Charlie Davies</span>.</p>
<p>I don't expect this one to be as easy as it looks on paper, especially the way the Dynamo struggle to earn points on the road. I know it may seem early to talk about "must-win" games - also maybe a little redundant since all games should be must win, but hear me out. The Dynamo does this a lot, and towards the end of the year we really start panicking, but if we can manage wins against teams we should be able to beat then we can worry less later (but still those are must win games!) Yes, the Dynamo should beat the Revolution, and it could be just like the opening day match. At the same time, expect a motivated Revolution side.</p>
<p>The game kicks off at 4 PM Central time on April 12<sup>th</sup> .</p>
<p></p>
https://www.dynamotheory.com/2014/4/11/5602948/matchday-preview-houston-dynamo-vs-new-england-revolution-david-horst
Gribbs