The Houston Dynamo come off a big win last week at home against the Seattle Sounders and now travel to Philadelphia to take on the Union. The Dynamo were beaten by the Union in the opening match of the MLS season, 1-0 at Robertson Stadium, and will look for revenge tonight at PPL Park. With the playoff race heating up and the wild card spots hotly contested, points in this match will be huge for the Dynamo.
Captain Brian Ching scored a brace in the win over Seattle but fellow forward Will Bruin injured his knee and will miss the next 4-6 weeks. Cam Weaver will likely step in for Bruin in the starting lineup. If new signing Carlo Costly is eligible to play I would expect to see him in a late appearance as a substitute. Weaver and Ching will have their work cut out for them against one of the best defenses in Major League Soccer. The Union have not allowed more than two goals in a game this season so the Dynamo defense will also have to be at the top of their game.
Bobby Boswell and Andre Hainault played very well in central defense against Seattle and I expect to see them in the lineup again against Philadelphia. All Star Corey Ashe will start wide on the left with Hunter Freeman likely getting the nod at right back. Je-Vaughn Watson will return from suspension this week and could return to center midfield with Geoff Cameron. Newcomer Adam Moffat played a very good game against Seattle and could join Cameron again in the starting lineup. Moffat’s defense was key last week and allowed Cameron and the wingers to get forward in the attack. Colin Clark and Brad Davis will be on the wings again and will try to break down the Union back four.
The Dynamo will have convert on the chances they get offensively as they may not have many against Philadelphia. Set pieces have been huge for Houston this year and I look for them to be a game changer in this match. A Brad Davis set piece leads to a goal from Ching or Weaver as I predict the Dynamo to leave the City of Brotherly Love with a 1-1 draw.
(image courtesy of Chris Beveridge/Houston Dynamo)
