We're coming off a much needed win and now we're coming back to Toyota Park to play a tough Houston club. I think the last time we beat the Dynamo was when Thiago made a one man end to end run to score at Robertson Stadium a few years ago. Needless to say, we're due and we need to win at home. Fire.
I would really like to win, but I see another draw coming. Houston is head and shoulders better than DC, and we should take points early in the season if we can get them.
The last time we beat Houston was in early 2007 when Chris Rolfe did a nice little dribble and left-footed quick shot for the only goal of the game. All-time record against Houston at Toyota Park: 0-3-1
******** that were home and it's about time we beat these ********s at home. 3-0 FIRE WIN!!!!!! Collins John with all three goals!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bartender, I'll have whatever it is he's having. Must be some powerful stuff. We'll see what we're really made of this week. I'd accept a 2-1 loss if we play well, run off the ball more, make quicker passes, show some creativity in our attack and force some quality saves out of Old Man Onstad.
Houston's not as good as people think, they tied FC Dallas (1-1), they were gifted two PK's to beat RSL (2-1), and they lost at home to LA (0-2). So we will see ratdog!!!!!!
This is a very tough game coming up. Houston is always good and typically put out a well-balanced team that is up for a fight........the kind of team that rarely if ever gets rolled over. I can recall Houston's last visit to TP and the Dynamo were able to muster almost nothing offensively but somehow walked out with 3 points. It was the kind of game that was all too familiar to Fire fans last year..........dominate the run of play, create chances, shut the opposing team down, and not collect the 3 points. If this year is going to turn out different then last year we just have to improve at home.
They do this every year, though. Start out the season not looking very good and get better and better as the season continues. They're still a solid team. Nice to have them scheduled this early in the season, though. The team has to come out with a different attitude from the SJ game.
Honestly, if we do those things and lose 2-1 it IS a disappointment. I'll go further and say that if we stick with the 4-man back line we used against DC for a significant period so that Dykstra is comfortable with what he has in front of him, then anytime we give up two goals -- to any team in MLS -- it will be a disappointment. I think we have the makings of the best defense in MLS, or close to it. We have very good forwards. Nyarko is really coming into his own on the right wing and Pappa just needs a little consistency to be an all-star in midfield. I still think we are lacking in the middle of the park, BUT even with that, we are not suffering from a lack of chances. Give me what we have now and sign a good CAM DP and there is no reason we shouldn't be at the top.
Pause ran around a bit today but Thor did not. That said, practice ended with only 12 guys on the field. MLS needs to increase rosters and our guys need to toughen up or get a rest. Not sure which.
Yeah, but they've lost Holden and Clark this year. Big difference makers in my eyes. Have they signed any replacements, I haven't watched them play this year.
Well, they have a new player (Lovel Palmer) in the Ricardo Clark role doing pretty well (scored a great goal against Chivas too). I don't think they've managed to replace Holden, but Geoff Cameron is playing better and better. So yeah, when you take Ching out of the picture, they're probably worse off than they were at this point last year, but I have no doubt they'll be a major competitor come playoff time. They're considerably better than DC and almost definitely the better than any of our first 4 opponents.
I sure expect Houston to be much better than DCU. And our results? We lost to New York away and maybe that's not so bad but then we got outplayed by Colorado and were lucky to escape with a tie, we get beat in our own home opener by a thoroughly blech SJ team and finally by far the worst team in MLS holds us scoreless for 80 minutes before we finally break through. I hope DLC reminds the players that dominating the run of play does you no good whatsoever if can't put the ball into the back of your opponent's goal. I also hope we win but I'm not expecting it. If our back line can play well, I think a 1-1 tie is most likely. ---------- Well, technically ANY loss, even to 1970 Brasil, is disappointment... Maybe I should say that if we improve on everything except we once again have trouble scoring, that would still be better than we played against SJ and for most of the DCU game (Nyarko's fine performance v. DCU being the exception). So far, I don't have high expectations for McBride (who owes Perkins a steak dinner for letting in that goal) and John just seems out of synch for some reason. And behind them, is Nyarko or Carr and Dimitrov. I say a 1-1 tie, our goal being another towering blast from Marco Pappa. If Thorrington starts at CAM, we have a legit shot at a 2-1 win. How's that?
******** it I still say 3-0 FIRE!!!!!! Collins John with all three goals!!!!!!!! and HOUSTON does suck!!!!!!! that goes for the other 14 teams!!!!!!!!
Houston is a lot worse this year, no doubt. Nyarko and Husidic are getting better and better and (as I suspected at the time) I believe Pause's injury has been shown to be a blessing in disguise. I think Mapp is probably more motivated than he's been in his career, My worries are with the new El Salv. guys and the risk of another frankowski fiasco with Krol. As well as the fragile confidence of Dykes (i hope he's not scared/intimidated by section 8 or something?) Hopefully also it sinks in that the nearly 38-old-McB is not best employed in a 90 minute capacity. I just never ever ever ever want to see something like that first goal in the SJ game (off the back pass) ever again. Technically we are favored on betfair 11/8 fire 2/1 Houston 12/5 draw
That's a safe comment. Bad play, but everyone needs to get over it. These things happen to the best players on earth from time to time. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uHUghCf3NI"]YouTube- Dan Boyle OT Goal (4/18/10)[/ame]
I think so far at least CDLC has proved that if "his" guys don't show it on the pitch they won't play Martinez isn't even making the bench