The Houston Dynamo are about to get their talisman back, and just in time.
After missing Houston’s 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact on Oct. 6, Brad Davis used a well-timed off week to recover from a left calf strain and is available to suit up against the visiting Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
The Dynamo can clinch a postseason berth for the sixth time in seven years with a win over the Union, coupled with a loss by the Columbus Crew against D.C. United, on Saturday night.
“The way my season ended last year with an injury and having to watch the final and watch the guys put everything into that game … and not be able to do a thing about it and just watch was very difficult,” Davis told media after Friday’s training. “For me to come back and be 100 percent healthy and be able to go out and make a difference is very important for me.”
Davis has scored a goal or notched an assist in 15 of his 29 matches this season, and the Dynamo are 9-2-4 in those matches, including a 2-1 win over the Union on July 30, when Davis scored the opening goal.
“It’s huge to get Brad back because he’s a huge part of what we do here,” winger Calen Carr. “He really controls the tempo of our game and to have him back is exciting for the group, and is important for us if we want to make a stretch run and have a chance to win a championship.”
Home record on the line
With a result on Saturday the Dynamo would become just the fourth team in MLS history to finish the regular season undefeated at home.
“We’re more focused on getting to the playoffs rather than matching a streak … but it’d be great because we’re getting something out of the game and adding to our point total,” said head coach Dominic Kinnear, who led the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes to same feat.
“I’m not trying to shy away from the unbeaten streak because it’s a great achievement and we have touched on it a tiny bit, but the most important thing is getting the win tomorrow.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
