The Dynamo host the Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Here are 12 reasons to attend tonight’s MLS Cup Playoff game between the Dynamo and Montreal:
#12 Halloween trick-or-treat. Children with a game ticket can trick-or-treat in the comfort of the rain-protected BBVA Compass Stadium concourse, with candy available in the stadium suites and sponsorship area between 6:00 and 6:45 p.m. tonight.
#11 Costume contest. There will be a pregame costume contest at Orange Avenue before the game. Finalists will be voted on at halftime by the stadium crowd.
#10 The Dynamo have been in the playoffs 7 of 8 years, and three years in a row.
#9 The Dynamo are 12-7-4 all-time in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the third-best postseason win percentage in MLS history.
#8 The Dynamo begin their quest to reach a third straight MLS Cup Final, and win a fifth conference championship in eight years.
#7 A year ago Will Bruin scored four goals in the playoffs to set a franchise record for goals in a single postseason, surpassing Brian Ching, who scored three in the 2006 postseason.
#6 Last Halloween, the Dynamo went to Chicago and beat the Fire, 2-1, in the Knockout Round behind two goals from Bruin.
#5 Brad Davis has appeared in 22 of Houston’s 23 playoff games in franchise history, starting 21. The only playoff game Davis has not played in with Houston was the 2011 MLS Cup Final, which he missed due to a quadriceps injury suffered in the Eastern Conference Final.
#4 Dominic Kinnear is 13-9-5 as a head coach in the MLS Cup playoffs. With his next win, Kinnear will tie Bob Bradley for third on the MLS playoff wins list.
#3 Late goals are more fun. Of Houston’s 31 all-time playoff goals, 18 have been scored after the 60th minute (58%), including four overtime goals. Three were scored by Brian Ching, with a tying header in the 2006 MLS Cup Final and game-winners in the second leg of Western Conference Semifinals in 2007 and 2009.
#2 The Dynamo are 8-1-0 all-time in home playoff games and have the best home win percentage (.889) in MLS history. Houston has outscored opponents 18-6 in home playoff games.
#1 Win or go home. They need to win tonight to advance to meet the New York Red Bulls, with the first leg at BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Tickets are still available here, by calling 713-276-GOAL or by visiting the BBVA Compass Stadium ticket office (2200 Texas St., Houston).
