Pre/PBP/Post Houston Dynamo v. Philadelphia Union, Saturday, June 30

Who: Houston Dynamo v. Philadelphia Union
When: Saturday, June 30 @ 7:30 PM CDT
Where: BBVA Compass Stadium
Records: Philadelphia (3-8-2) 11 PTS, 9th in EAST
Houston Dynamo (5-5-5) 20 PTS, 5th in EAST
TV: FSH/KHLM-43
Radio: 790/850

This is the first meeting this year between the two teams in the regular season. They will play two more times this year, in Philly on September 23 and in Houston on October 20.

The Union's most recent game was a 4-0 win over Kansas City on June 23. That was the team's first win in two tries under interim head coach, John Hackworth. Philly is 1-3-1 in their last five league games with 7 goals scored and 6 allowed in those games. On the road this year Philly is 1-4-1 with their only road win at Chivas USA on April 21. The Union have a home game in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday against the Harrisburg City Islanders. The Union have had a tremendous turnover of players since last year. Only 4 players started both the home playoff game against Houston last fall and the game last Saturday against SKC.

Houston is 2-2-1 in the last five league matches with 10 goals scored and 12 allowed in those games. The Dynamo are 3-0-2 at home this season.

Philly also apparently just acquired Bakary Soumare, a central defender from Vancouver.

Philly @ Houston, all-time:

05/29/10 HOU 2-3 PHI
03/19/11 HOU 0-1 PHI
11/02/11 HOU 1-0 PHI, playoffs

That's 1-2-0 overall with 3 goals scored and 4 allowed.

is it too soon to say this game is a must win?

ah, who cares, i'm saying it anyway. our crappy month coupled with a huge need for points against a conference foe at our house right before a tough game v chicago = A must win!!

ps

can i have rico, dero, and stewie back please. our defense was so much better when they were here!

The Dynamo as of this minute are the 14th best defensive team in MLS tied with...

The Los Angeles Galaxy.

Unfortunately, I am going to stay tie, but wouldn't surprise me to see another loss.

If we don't get some results at home from now thru the end of the July - and I mean 3 points more often than not - our scheduling advantage will be completely pissed away

Odds on the Buzzwords "Match Fitness" or "Tired Legs" being used on Saturday are pretty good. Odds on me laughing about them when they are used are even higher.

I thought our defense was awesome when we had Hainault, Cameron, Boz, Ashe, Camargo and Moffat! But that was 10 months ago.

He's supposed to join the team on Thursday. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some minutes. He couldn't be any worse as a starter than what we currently have but Dom may choose to stick with Clark.

The Union played Harrisburg at PPL last night in the USOC. Here's their line up from that game:

MacMath; Lopez, Gaddis, Okugo; Carroll, Lahoud (Gomez 70'), Farfan, Adu (Hoppenot 62'); McInerney, Pajoy (McLaughlin 83')

Just keep in mind that Montreal played a mid-week game across the continent at Chivas before they played us last weekend and, well, you know.

Thanks again. My alma mater's soccer team also used to have twins in the starting lineup. People would joke that we were just trying to make the oppostion think we were playing with ten. I guess it works!

It's still early in the season. I expect a let down, a long drive home, and my wife to start saying "we're never gonna make the play off's. Things will turn around mid August.

Wait...so your wife is actually the one who posts as Juvechelsea?

Ja,ja, ja.

And as oneterryhurlock.

My likely starting lineup with subs in parenthetical.

--------------Ching (Weaver)---- Bruin---------
Davis ---- Camargo (Watson) --- Sturgis ---- Clark (OBG)
Ashe ---- BB.com -- Cameron -- Hainult
------------Hall----------------------

I am glad someone other than me is saying it-this is a must win and we must take at least 7PTs from that 3 match home stretch that one week in July to stay in a realistic spot for a non wildcard spot. Drop this one and 2 of 3 of those matches and you can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

Our entire home game advantage pretty much expires at the end of July. These next 5 home games are critical or we will be putting a lot of pressure on the road games in August-October.

I hate to say any one game is must win . . . . but this is sort of looking like it. have to take 11-12 points out of the next 5 home games.

"Everyone has a game plan until you hit them in the mouth"--- Mike Tyson.

This is the quote Kinnear should tell his players before lining up to take the field.
The Dynamo need to get back to what they are known for since 2006, which is THROWING THE FIRST PUNCH, playing LOCK-DOWN defense and SCORING the games first goal as early as possible to mentally start taking the fight out of their opponents. If they do that, they will win their fair share of games.

It is time to start getting tough as an organization from Canetti to Kinnear to the players. The Dynamo have seven of their next ten games at BBVA Compass Stadium and if they don't pick up at the very least 15 pts out of the possible 21, the possibility looms of the team not making the postseason in Brian Ching final year.

The front office, the MLS & the Dynamo fans have high expectations for the team currently assembled, it is time for them to start playing like we know they can.

HERE ARE SOME STATS GOING INTO SATURDAY'S GAME:

Houston:

- Defense has given up 23 goals which is TIED with our AEG counterparts for 14th in MLS.
- The Dynamo and New York Red Bulls are the only two teams remaining this season in MLS without a home defeat.
- Offense has scored 20 goals which ranks TIED for 8th in MLS.

Philly:

- Defense has given up 15 goals which is TIED for the BEST DEFENSE in MLS.
- The Union have a 1-4-1 away record, which ranks as the 5th WORSE in MLS.
- Offense has scored 12 goals which ranks 18th in MLS, slightly ahead of Chivas USA 11.
- Away from PPL Park, the Union have scored 3 times while given up 7 goals.

The 1st goal in this game will be HUGE and if the Dynamo get it, I expect them to win at home.

It is PUT UP OR SHUT UP time and the Dynamo need to treat this like they are playing for their jobs and it is a WIN OR GO HOME PLAYOFF GAME, It is that important.

I'm most likely selling my ticket to the game for $15. It's on section 234, Row AA, Seat 6. If you want to buy it text me at 832-576-8871 and I'll keep you updated and where to meet up. The reason I'm selling my ticket is because I invited a friend so I'm buying 2 seats so me and him can be in the same seats

Er Jermaine taylor please if its a must win

No reason not to start OBG not like we have any great performances from anyone to keep him out

Agree. Start boniek.

Problem is

1. from some reason it will kill the bald one not to start Ashe. REmemeber the F...K Up in NY he sat him after that we won the next home game but hes straight back in changing a winning team (very un bald one like) but he has the fascination with OTP

2. Bald ones record with DP's is to sit them for a while so they can see how we play and we wonder why DP's do not come here

OBG looks pretty fit (albeit from pics on website) start him for 60 if you don't think he can go the whole way get OTP on the bench and JT back in lineup

Won't happen though

Game guide shows Watson doubtful and Taylor questionable.