After posting a 1-0 win against Club America in their SuperLiga opener on Wednesday, Houston Dynamo can stamp their ticket to the knockout round of the tournament Sunday when they play host to Monarcas Morelia at Robertson Stadium.
Getting a result will also have the added effect of making another very difficult game, the final in group play, a moot point.
"If we win, it puts us through to the next round," said defender Craig Waibel. "We need to win, so we aren't in a dogfight with D.C."
Waibel's thoughts are repeated throughout the Dynamo locker room. They know Morelia, who tied 1-1 with D.C. in their first game, will be a tough test.
"Whether it's the first game, second game or third game, this team always comes to play, and we know what the stakes are," said midfielder Richard Mulrooney. "We are at the top of the pool, but having said that, things change quickly. If we lose tomorrow, we might not advance. If we win, then it gets a little easier going into the third game against D.C. Our mindset is to put the best team out there that can perform and (Sunday) is no different."
Unlike against Club America, where Dynamo had no advance scouting report and took about 15 minutes before the Orange had the feel of their counterparts and took control of the game, Houston players and coaches watched Morelia play D.C. United and have an idea of what to expect.
Still, that doesn't change anything for the defending MLS Cup champions, who will look to be the ones to control the game, said forward Brian Ching.
"We got to see them play against D.C. and the fact they came back with only 10 men and tied the game is something that we have to be concerned about and something we have to be ready for," Ching said.
"When teams come here, we look to impose our will on the game, the way we play. We don't worry about the other team too much. So far it's been successful, so hopefully we can go in and impose our will against them as well."
For Houston, playing in SuperLiga has presented a bit of a break from the MLS regular season. Dynamo still want to win the games and earn the $1 million prize, but that's only part of their motivation.
"Doesn't feel like a break when it's three games in a week," Waibel said. "It's a good break. Everyone needs a bit of variety, and this is good variety to play some good Mexican clubs. This is a good break away from our usual MLS schedule.
"Money is always a motivator for anyone. That's there, but there's also top-flight teams, and there's a pride issue involved. Then there's Pachuca in the other pool, and they knocked us out of a tournament earlier in the year, so that's there. It's great clubs playing against each other, so it's a little bit of everything."
After starting Nate Jaqua in place of Ching and giving defender Ryan Cochrane a start in favor of Patrick Ianni against Club America, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said that more moves with the starting lineup could be in place against Morelia. With the Orange having played seven games already in July, Houston has needed all the depth they can get.
"You look at the amount of games, and to ask the same 11 to go, we wouldn't have the same results," Kinnear said. "We have some guys who are rested and can come in. It's created a good spirit because everyone is contributing. I think it's necessary. We talked to guys, and we felt we had to do this because you run the risk of getting guys injured too."
Houston hasn't lost in its last 11 MLS games and will look to make it two in a row in SuperLiga Sunday. After giving up three goals against New England last Sunday, ending their MLS record shutout streak, Dynamo posted a shutout against Club America on Wednesday.
The attitude on the team is to give their all every time they step on the field, and Sunday night against Morelia should be no different.
"With this team, we take every game seriously," Mulrooney said. "It sounds cliché that you give 100 percent, but that's what this team does. Whether it's Real Salt Lake, Chicago, Toronto or anyone else, this team puts it out there, and I think that's why you see such a good streak from us lately. We take pride in our result, and this competition is no different."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
