The Dynamo will play their first Champions League match at BBVA Compass Stadium Thursday night as they welcome in Salvadoran side CD FAS. The Dynamo beat CD FAS 3-1 on August 22nd in El Salvador, with Brian Ching, Cam Weaver, and Je-Vaughn Watson scoring the goals for Houston.
If the Dynamo are to advance out of their group in the Champions League they need a result in this game. Currently Houston sits tied atop their group with Olimpia on 4 points but are one goal behind in goal difference. With the final group stage game a home date with Olimpia, the Dynamo hold their fate in their hands. Depending on what FAS and Olimpia do in their next match a win at home against Olimpia on October 20th looks to be the ticket to the next round for the Dynamo.
Turning back to league play, the Dynamo will travel to PPL Park Sunday to play the Philadelphia Union. Houston is locked in a battle between six Eastern Conference teams for just five playoff spots. Houston is currently fourth in the East, three points behind third place New York and four back of second place Chicago. Behind the Dynamo are fifth place Columbus, one point back, and sixth place DC, two points back.
The Union are currently 9th in the East with just 26 points from 26 games. They are in a full blown rebuild with coach Peter Nowak fired and many of their good players traded away this season. This is a game the Dynamo SHOULD take three points from and MUST take three points from. With the playoff race so close every point matters. When you have a chance to play a team near the bottom of the table just playing out their season you must take advantage of the opportunity. The Dynamo beat the Union 2-1 on June 30th at BBVA Compass Stadium and will play them once more after Sunday, October 20th at BBVA.
If the Dynamo want to make the playoffs, their schedule ending the MLS season is very favorable. The Dynamo’s remaning five games are all against teams well out of the playoff race, Philadelphia twice, New England, Montreal, and Colorado. Thirteen points from those five games is a lot to ask for but definitely doable. Making the playoffs is the ultimate goal but finishing in the top three would mean the Dynamo avoid the Wild Card game. It should be a fun finish to the season.
(image courtesy of Salvador Melendez/CONCACAF)
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