Houston Dynamo checked off another task on their quest to repeat as MLS Cup champions by coming from behind to knock off FC Dallas last Friday and advancing to Saturday's Western Conference Championship where they will face an Eastern Conference foe, the Kansas City Wizards.
Houston knew getting past Dallas wasn't going to be an easy task, and they were right, but now Dynamo's attention turns to the Wizards, who knocked off the West's top seed, Chivas USA.
"We have to take a deep breath because emotionally, it's a great accomplishment," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "We're happy about our accomplishment because we knew it was going to be a tough two games. We had a feeling it might have to go into extra time, and it did. You take a deep breath and relax a day or two, find out who you are playing and go to work from there. We feel confident going forward, but we also know Kansas City is going to be a difficult opponent."
Kansas City accomplished something very few teams this year have when they took out Chivas on their home field. The Wizards defeated Chivas 1-0 in Kansas City, then tied Chivas 0-0 in Carson to take the tie.
Kansas City joined Houston as one of a few teams to tie or beat Chivas in L.A. this season. The Orange are happy that the Western Conference final will be in their backyard, Robertson Stadium.
"Especially, being at home, with the atmosphere we are expecting it to be helps a lot," said Dynamo forward Nate Jaqua. "Of course, scoring four goals helps a lot too. We were scoreless for a while -- Chivas, the first Dallas game and the first 70 minutes or however long it was of the second game. Scoring definitely helps to break the seal. Kansas City is going to be a tough game. It's going to be different than Dallas. We have to come out and be ready. It's going to be a battle."
Houston defeated Kansas City 1-0 in K.C. before tying the Wizards in Houston. Dynamo know Kansas City isn't going to be an easy win, but they know what it's going to take to advance to the MLS Cup Final for a second consecutive year.
"I think the same things we've been doing. The motto of this team is 'A lot of heart and a lot of hard work.' If we continue to do that, we have the individuals and the talent on this team that if we continue to work hard, I feel good about our chances," said Houston midfielder Brad Davis.
"I think the fans and the atmosphere was an advantage. I think after that first goal and we got off that schneid there, it started to flow. We knew if we could get off that ice -- we'd been struggling to find the back of the net, hitting crossbars and posts. Once we figured that out, we took the momentum, and hopefully, the crowd is the same as it was last weekend. We're expecting that."
Houston's current run through the MLS Cup Playoffs is bringing up memories of last year when the Orange captured the Cup.
"Last year we went to the MLS Cup. We made it this far last year," Davis said. "This team is starting to come together well. This team is built for the postseason. There's a lot of veteran leadership on this team. We just need to continue that. If we do our individual jobs, we have what it takes to get the job done."
Dynamo have done whatever it takes to get the job done and advance this far. Now, with what they hope to be their third consecutive 30,000-plus crowd cheering them on, the Orange know they have the home-field advantage.
"Same feeling as last week. We know we have that advantage," said Houston defender Eddie Robinson. "Just as Dallas learned last week, and what everyone else around MLS has learned, what kind of advantage Robertson Stadium with 30,000 people is -- we're looking forward to that. There might be more people here. That would definitely be something."
But, Dynamo know the Wizards are a tough team and anything can happen and will happen in the playoffs, as Chivas learned last week.
"As far as Kansas City goes, they did something that wasn't easy going in to L.A. and tying Chivas," Robinson said. "Chivas doesn't have many ties. I think they won like 13 or 14 out of 16 there. To come out 0-0, that isn't easy to do. Of course, we did that there a couple weeks ago."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
