The Houston Dynamo (4-6-6) will come to RFK Stadium this Saturday to take on DC United (4-5-5) in a match that will hopefully be different than the first. Earlier this season, United fans watched as rookie Will Bruin bagged a hat trick and Houston easily won 4-1. Hopefully the opposite will occur this weekend.
This year has certainly been a year of improvement for United, but their record at home could use a little more improving. It seems like DC does decent at home most times but doesn’t do enough to win, however when they’re on the road, they grind it out and give 110 percent. In RFK, DC is 2-2-3 in league play, and they know that in order to make the playoffs, they’ll have to do better. The next few matches are both at RFK and against Eastern Conference opponents. This will give DC a great chance to grab some more home wins and move up the table.
This season, DC has usually responded well after giving up a 4 goal match beforehand. The offense seems to be clicking well with Brettschneider seeming to get better every match, Davies getting healthier and creating chances, and Wolff continuing to provide the mature leadership that is needed (along with some good service into the box every once in awhile). I would like to see Davies get a goal or two in the run of play instead of another penalty kick, but beggars won’t be choosers. They will have to dig deep in this match because Houston’s defense is still very respectable with former DC player Bobby Boswell and Corey Ashe manning the backline. From what I can remember, those two have been together for awhile and have good chemistry.
In the midfield, Andy Najar and Chris Pontius have solidified their roles as wingers, Simms and McCarty will continue to battle for the defensive midfield role, and the attacking mid role will probably be filled by Stephen King again. Pontius has really come alive during the past month and continued that fine form against San Jose when he had a goal that was called back and had two great shots rebound off the crossbar. If he has that same type of performance against Houston, it will be DC winning 4-1 this time.
Defensively, DC has had another week to settle in with the veteran Jed Zayner on the outside with Ethan White and Perry Kitchen in the center. I do think the defense does lack long term consistency between each performance, but it’s understandable with two rookies. The defense will be looked at the most during this match since it was lit up by Will Bruin last time. But besides the hat trick, he’s only got one goal on the season. Is he really much of a threat? I’m tempted to say no, but the fact that he’s “sandbagged” once this season means he could do it again. And other players may be tempted to overlook him. Overall, don’t think Bruin will score, but I’ve been wrong before. Cam Weaver is also someone to watch out for as he is tied with Bruin with 4 goals this season.
Overall, I think we can expect a better game from DC the second time around. The defense is a little older and more mature, and the offense seems to be doing just fine. DC has only 2 more goals before it ties their 2010 goal total. Will they meet it on Saturday night? We’ll see. And it’s college night so I encourage any and all college students from around the DC area to go to the match. Who knows? You might end up liking soccer after all.
My prediction: DC 2-1 Houston
Image courtesy of DC United
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