Dynamo ready to fend off Galaxy
Best-of-West matchup has Houston eyeing top spot
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"All of the games are important, but this one is definitely a little bit more important than the rest because we can't lose this game," said forward Luis Angel Landin. "We can't lose this game, especially, because we are playing at home. Yes, it is a little bit more important than the rest."
With the leadership in the Western Conference comes home-field advantage in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and by the time the game kicks off Sunday afternoon, both teams could be looking up at Chivas, which plays San Jose the night before.
"The guys are all buzzing about it," said Dynamo Head Coach Dominic Kinnear. "It is one of those games that can't get here fast enough. We know the importance of it, [and] there is going to be a really good crowd. The opponent is a good opponent with some great players. It has the makings of one of those games that has everything you want as a player."
Houston will be without forward Cam Weaver who will be sitting out for the red card he incurred in the team's last league match against Kansas City. In addition, the team will be without midfielder Corey Ashe who suffered an injury in the team's friendly last weekend against CF Monterrey.
With Weaver out, Landin will likely start next to forward Brian Ching. Dominic Oduro likely then becomes first forward off the bench due to Weaver's suspension. With Landin scoring in the last MLS game and Oduro scoring in the friendly against Monterrey, the Dynamo hope the two forwards can get on a bit of a hot streak down the stretch.
"That goal really, really did help," said Landin. "It loosened me up and took away a lot of the pressure that I had on myself, especially considering that is what they brought me here to do."
Each of the two years the Dynamo won the MLS Cup, they learned the importance of home-field advantage. In neither year were the Dynamo the top seed, but they still played host to the Western Conference Championship both years. In each instance, the Orange capitalized on their home-field advantage to catapult themselves into the MLS Cup.
"I think everyone wants to play at home given the choice," said Kinnear. "The fans are behind you, [and] you're not traveling ... [or worrying] about hotels and buses."
Home-field advantage is exactly what the Dynamo players hope will come into play on Sunday afternoon against the Galaxy, which the club hopes will come because of a sell-out crowd.
"We are going to have a great crowd. I think that is really going to help," said Eddie Robinson. "We really feed off that energy. This game means a lot because it will help us get those home games in the playoffs. You need to get three points here because Chivas has a game in hand. We have two games left, we need six points and it starts on Sunday."
"The pressure is on," added Geoff Cameron. "It all comes down to the last two games of the season for us. This is what we thrive for."
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
