Dynamo open defense in New York
Defending MLS champion Houston visits Red Bulls in Series opener
Sat., Nov. 1, Giants Stadium (4 p.m. ET; MSG; Ch. 55/43)
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD:
NY 2 wins, 6 goals scored ... HOU 2 wins, 7 goals scored ... 2 ties
2008 HEAD-TO-HEAD: NY 1 win, 3 goals scored; HOU 1 win, 1 goals scored; 0 ties
AT GIANTS STADIUM:
8/24: NY 3, HOU 0 (Angel 8; Richards 26; Magee 60)
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS: first meeting
REFEREE: Kevin Stott.
SAR (bench): Thomas Supple; JAR (opposite): Rob Fereday;
4th: Michael Kennedy
INJURY REPORT: NEW YORK RED BULLS -- OUT: DF Carlos Mendes (sports hernia) ... HOUSTON DYNAMO -- NONE REPORTED
SUSPENDED: NY: Jeff Parke, Jon Conway (SABH violation; through end of season)
WARNINGS: none
RED BULLS: Red Bulls boss Juan Carlos Osorio is known as a master tactician, and so will certainly put out his team in a system designed to counteract what he will see from the Houston Dynamo -- where they are likely to be no surprises. For the moment, that means Jorge Rojas could begin the game in a central midfield role. "One of the strengths of Houston is the when the fullbacks choose to run to go forward," Osorio said to Big Apple Soccer. "When they get to do it, they usually get somebody at the end of the run with a cross, diagonal ball or pass. We definitely have to have wide players who can deal with that. They are capable of competing against anybody. They're very athletic. So we need to match them up. He is probably more of an inside player at this point of time." ... However, the Venezuelan international would prefer to start in a wide midfield role, able to attack from the angle. "Not in the middle. I have less room to move around. Also, I connect better with the forwards. Also, I play closer to the goalie, than in the midfield," he said. ... The Red Bulls' 3-0 defeat of Houston was the Dynamo's only league loss over the final four months of the season, and a game where New York held a two-goal lead before the half-hour mark. A quick start is likely necessary in the first leg as well: the Bulls are 1-9-1 when trailing at the half and 1-8-6 in games away from Giants Stadium. "It's tough, especially with a team as smart and experienced as Houston is," Dave van den Bergh said. "We're going to have a tough time coming back if we go down a goal. It's important for us to try to score a goal, but I think it's just as important to maintain a clean sheet. It's going to be a thin line we're going to be walking Saturday. Hopefully, we can make the most out of our offensive strengths this time." ... In 2001, Paul Grafer was called into the then-MetroStars in an emergency situation -- and became the only goalkeeper to win a playoff series in club history. "It's a unique position to be in, obviously. It was unexpected," said Danny Cepero, in a similar situation this time around for New York. "Having two games under my belt now I hope to use that transition going into the playoffs.
DYNAMO: A year ago, the Houston Dynamo set history with the best defensive record in MLS history -- and once again this year finished with the fewest goals conceded in the league. In six of the last eight years, the teams with the best defensive mark in MLS have reached the MLS Cup Final (missing only 2001 and 2005), and on four of those occasions, defense has indeed led to a championship. "I think defensively we've been great. ... We've got the best goals against in the league for the second year in a row. I think also in the loss column, we've only got five losses, and that's pretty impressive, considering the amount of games we've played," said Dominic Kinnear. "The effort the guys give on both sides of the ball is impressive. I think sometimes the players that we have going forward, it's dynamic, and it's quick, and it gives teams problems, and obviously we're organized too." ... Much was made early on of the Dynamo's struggles -- they did not win a game until seven weeks into the season. But often forgotten is that they began defense of their first title with just two wins in eight starts to open 2007. "I think that [early in the season] we took our foot off the pedal a little bit, where teams were coming in hungry; everyone wanted to beat us, and if we look at it I think that everyone probably played one of the better games of their season against us," said Dwayne De Rosario. "We knew it was a matter of time before we turned it around, we knew the quality in this room, and we turned it around and we're in first now." ... Perhaps if their is an Achilles heel for the Dynamo, it's playing on an artificial surface. In six games in all competitions this season, the Orange have lost four with two draws; their only league result was a 1-1 tie at Toronto FC on Sept. 27. "I don't know what it is with us and turf, but right now our record on turf hasn't been that good," De Rosario said after the 3-0 loss at Giants Stadium, "but you know both teams play on it."
