The Houston Dynamo open the 2012 season in the same location their 2011 season ended. In November the Dynamo lost the MLS Cup Final at the Home Depot Center 1-0 to the LA Galaxy. Today, nearly 4 months later, they are back at the HDC to open their season against the Galaxy’s neighbors Chivas USA. Today’s game will be the first of 7 straight on the road for the Dynamo as BBVA Compass Stadium is completed. This will be the Dynamo’s only visit to the Home Depot Center, the home stadium for both Chivas and LA Galaxy, because of the new unbalanced schedule in MLS. The Dynamo are fully healthy coming into the season with no players listed on the injury report.
The big news in the offseason for the Dynamo was the loss and then reacquisition of captain Brian Ching. The big Hawaiian has said that this is likely his last season in MLS but he will play a big role for the Dynamo and start up front in the season opener. There are many options to start at forward alongside Ching but look for 2nd year man Will Bruin to get the nod over Calen Carr, Cam Weaver, and Mac Kandji. Bruin and Ching are both tall forwards who could give the Chivas USA defense headaches.
Runner up league MVP Brad Davis is set to return from injury and his return will surely spark the offense. Davis was injured in the Eastern Conference Final and was forced to miss the Cup Final loss. With Davis back, Ching and Bruin will be able to excel in winning balls in the air and getting on the end of crosses. Davis drives the Dynamo offense from the left flank and the only question remaining is how fit will he be. Davis played 90 minutes in the final preseason match against FC Dallas and the weather in Southern California will be ideal. With Danny Cruz now in DC, Colin Clark will get the start out wide opposite Davis with Luiz Camargo and Adam Moffat in the center of the Houston midfield.
Juan Pablo Angel will begin his first full season with Chivas USA and with Justin Braun lost in the expansion draft, Angel is the lone scoring threat up front. With the Dynamo defense being so strong, this match up will be a huge advantage for the Dynamo. The starting four of Andre Hainault and Corey Ashe wide and Bobby Boswell in Geoff Cameron in the middle were a brick wall throughout the playoff run and will look to pick up right where they left off. All star Tally Hall will get the start between the sticks for the men in orange.
As discussed earlier the Dynamo’s defense against the Chivas USA offense will be a huge advantage for Houston. Cameron and Boswell will look to clamp down on Angel and I can’t see Chivas scoring in this game. I look for the Dynamo to push the attack early on with a goal coming from Bruin and then one of the midfielders killing the game off with a late goal. The Dynamo have not won a season opener since their inaugural season of 2006. 3 points on the road would be a huge start to the season and maybe help wash some of the bad taste out of their mouths from how last season ended.
(image courtesy of Anthony Vasser/Houston Dynamo)
