The Houston Dynamo return home after two straight road draws to take on Toronto FC in an Eastern Conference match up. Houston currently sits in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 20 points while Toronto FC are in eighth place with 18 points. With just 5 points separating fourth through ninth place in the East, this game will be big for both teams.
Last Sunday night the Dynamo, led by goalkeeper Tally Hall, were able to get a point in Colorado against the Rapids after a scoreless draw. The Dynamo have won just one of their last eleven games after an undefeated April. With two home games against Eastern rivals in the next 8 days, now is the time for the Dynamo to get hot and make a run at the playoffs. Brian Ching has returned from injury and will likely get another start as Cam Weaver will be out with a hip injury. If Ching can find his scoring form, he and rookie Will Bruin could have the beginning of a nice partnership up front.
In defense, Jermaine Taylor has returned to the lineup after playing in the Gold Cup and pushed Bobby Boswell to the bench. Rookie Kofi Sarkodie also started last game in place of Hunter Freeman. Another Jamaican, Je-Vaughn Watson, has seen playing time at center midfield while Lovel Palmer came on as a sub last match. Coach Dominic Kinnear is obviously still tweaking the lineup to find something that will work. Whether we will see any of the players above or Colin Clark, Danny Cruz, Mike Chabala, or others, only Kinnear knows the answer.
Toronto FC comes into Texas after an embarrassing defeat to the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night. TFC was beaten 5-0 and now must play in the heat of Houston on short rest. Don’t look past the heat as it could be a huge factor for a team from Canada. The positive thing for Toronto is that they have already beaten the Dynamo once this season, a 1-0 decision in May. Midfielder Julian de Guzman and forward Maicon Santos will be out, putting a big dent in Toronto’s lineup. If Alan Gordon is able to play he will bring some offense but the rest of the side will have to step up.
This match is scheduled to kick off Saturday night at 7:30 PM central time at Robertson Stadium. After Toronto was embarrassed on Wednesday, this match presents the perfect opportunity for Houston to regain their winning ways. I look for an offensive outburst with Ching and Brad Davis leading the Dynamo to a 3-1 win.
(image courtesy of houstondynamo.com)
