With a 1-0 victory against Real Salt Lake on Monday night, Houston Dynamo returned to winning ways and brought themselves within a single point of Western Conference leading Chivas USA, setting the stage for what could be an amazing season finale when the two sides meet at the close of the regular season on Saturday.
The playoffs have long been secured for the Orange, and a trip to Salt Lake on the next to last weekend of the season might not have been seen as a crucial match. But, after falling to a red-hot Los Angeles side at home last week, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear found it vital to get a result in Utah before facing Chivas at The Home Depot Center.
One game separates Houston from the postseason where they will try to defend their MLS Cup title. But the playoffs aren't what they're focusing on at this point. Right now they remain focused on the task at hand -- getting the top spot in the Western Conference and getting the advantage of playing most of their playoff games in the friendly confines of Roberston Stadium.
"We still have one more game to go, so we're not talking playoffs yet. We play Chivas on Saturday," said Kinnear. "If we get a good result there then we're finishing in the top spot in the West.
"As games go on, the closer that you get, the more geared up you are. The guys are focused in the right place and not trying to look too far ahead and take these games as they come. And that's what we're going to try to do next Saturday.
Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad had a similar perspective on the last two games of the regular season for his team.
"We want to start gearing up for the playoffs, but at the same time we want to fight for the division title," said Onstad. "We needed at least a draw here to have a chance, and if we beat Chivas next week we clinch the division."
In a scrappy match on the Rice-Eccles turf, the Orange gave themselves more than a chance after Stuart Holden hit a bomb into the upper corner from about five yards off the right sideline. It was so far over on the flank that his coach wasn't sure that he meant to put the ball on frame.
"I don't think he meant to shoot it, to be honest," said Kinnear. "I think Stuart just tried to cross it and hit it a little bit awkward and it came as an awkward goal. It was an important awkward goal, that's for sure."
Scoring on such a improbable shot was sweet justice for Holden, who was denied by a spectacular save from Nick Rimando. Just a minute before scoring Holden dove at a Brian Mullan cross, and did well to snap it toward goal. But Rimando dove behind himself to deflect Holden's shot over the bar.
"I kind of had a close effort on the one before -- Rimando made a really good save on the header," said Holden. "The second one, I was just trying to hit it across the goal hard and it got away from me a little bit and ended up in the goal. I'm not complaining, they all count the same. I'll take it."
The goal was Holden's fifth on the year, and it was enough to give Dynamo something to play for on Saturday against Chivas USA.
For Saturday's match the Orange will be without Eddie Robinson, who received a red card in the 73rd minute after taking down Kyle Beckerman. Robinson was the last defender as Beckerman broke toward goal, tripping up the RSL midfielder before he reached the penalty area and being sent off by referee Tim Weyland.
Salt Lake dropped down to 10 men as well after a confrontation between Pat Onstad and Yura Movsisyan. Because the whole situation occurred away from the ball, it was unclear to many exactly what happened. Onstad explained that it might not have been as severe as the referee might have thought.
"Movsisyan had been whining all game," said the Houston 'keeper. "So I went back to have a word with him. I guess he thought it was a good time to throw a little body check. I think the referee thought he had thrown a punch -- he definitely never threw a punch."
The feisty conditions against Salt Lake could be great preparation for what lies ahead for Houston. The intensity is similar to what Holden expects from Chivas come Saturday night.
"Our games at Chivas are always a little intense," said Holden. "I think they're becoming a rival. And this game got a little heated toward the end. Tempers were flaring. We've lost a couple of players for next week. Now, we just have to focus and make sure that we come out and get the job done."
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
