HOUSTON – On Saturday night against the Colorado Rapids, the Houston Dynamo will attempt to accomplish something the team has failed to do all year: Win two league games in a row.
“It would be helpful,” Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. “We’re not trying for a winning streak here, just to win the next game. These games coming up are against teams pretty close to us and to get three points is crucial.”
How badly does Houston need this game? The club has gone 41 games without consecutive league wins dating back to June 13, 2009. For a team in need of at least five more wins to consider itself a playoff contender, there is no better time to break that streak.
The Dynamo used three goals from striker Brian Ching to top Chicago last weekend, 4-3.
“We have to take a lot of things we brought against Chicago into this game against Colorado to give us a better chance to take away something positive,” Kinnear said.
The Dynamo know they can’t rely on another Ching hat trick to save the day. As a result, the team has to focus on the little details that were so successful against the Fire.
[inline_node:316641]One component that may have been overshadowed by the hat trick was Richard Mulrooney’s pinpoint delivery on set pieces.
“All four opportunities came off goals from set pieces, and it has always been an important part of our game,” Ching said. “However, I think we also moved the ball around well and part of that is guys getting to know each other better.”
Geoff Cameron is back from injury and the acquisition of Anthony Obodai seems to be paying dividends. Lovel Palmer seems to have settled into his role in the attacking half of the field and Brian Mullan has quietly put together his best run of games this season.
In addition, Dominic Oduro’s speed has kept defenses honest, and helped provide space for Ching to hold the ball up.
“We are a team that’s finally playing a little better,” Ching said. “But all of these points are extremely important. It’s almost like a playoff game for us.”
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
