The Basics
Houston (5-5-1) at New York (5-5-0)
6:30 p.m. CT
Red Bull Arena, Harrison NJ
All-time record: New York leads the series 3-2-5 (2-2-4 regular season)
Game Guide - downloadable PDF
Broadcast info
KHOU 11.2 (6:15 p.m. pregame)
FS Houston Plus (6:30 p.m.)
TV Informa (6 p.m.)
SportsTalk 790 (6 p.m. pregame)
La Ranchera 850 (6 p.m. pregame)
What's at stake?
Two teams, muddled in the middle of their conference standings, both could use wins. Houston was dominant in the second half against Philadelphia, but the Dynamo dropped a 3-2 result to the expansion side. New York has lost its last four in league play and desperately needs a win.
Last meeting
Houston scored first in a May 16 game at Giants Stadium last year, but a John Wolyniec tally in the 88th minute gave the teams a split.
Heroes & Villains
Dane Richards vs. the Houston left side: Richards always looks dangerous against Houston, terrorizing and seemingly owning the right flank against the Dynamo since the 2008 playoff series against the Orange. Richards will be moved back to the right wing after starting the last two games up top.
Brian Ching vs. Mike Petke and Tim Ream: After starting the season so well with consecutive shutout wins in league play, the backline for New York has struggled a bit the past few games. After a stint in national team camp last week, Ching is back with Houston and scored as a second-half substitution in Saturday night’s loss. Ching’s size and strength will be a handful for the New York backline.
Stat that makes you go, “Hmm …”
After conceding just four goals in their first six games, the Red Bulls have given up 11 goals in their last four in league play. Over their last four games, Houston has scored seven goals.
He said it
“I don’t want to say it is a ‘must-win game,’ but it is certainly a ‘must-point game’ for us right now.” – New York midfielder Dane Richards on the importance of Wednesday's game.
