The key to the recent and almost expected turnaround of the Houston Dynamo lies within a combination of patience, perseverance and team talent.
A winless streak to start the year was filled with just enough ties to keep the team sane as it battled through one frustrating match after another.
But wins in their last two matches -- one at home against Colorado and one on the road last weekend in Chicago -- has them right in the thick of a Western Conference playoff race that is sure to last until the temperatures begin to cool in the fall.
The Dynamo now turn their focus to the San Jose Earthquakes, a team in a year of rebirth and one off to a slow start.
After 10 years in San Jose, the team left, moved to Houston, became the Houston Dynamo and won two consecutive championships. Many key players from that last and former San Jose team are still in Houston today and are looking forward to their first game in the Bay Area.
Despite the relocation, the Earthquakes were allowed to keep its name, colors and competition records for the expansion team that began play this season.
The San Jose Clash -- as they were known in Year 1 -- were one of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996. The team changed its name to before the 2000 season.
The Earthquakes, however, are just looking forward to their first win in front of their loyal fans.
"We will have a professional approach," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "There will be friends and family there. We built up great relationships there both professionally and personally, but the reason we are going there is to play a game. I think it's important that we take that approach because we're there for a reason, and that's to play a soccer game."
Kinnear took over as head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes in 2004 when Frank Yallop -- again the coach in San Jose -- left to take charge of the Canadian national team. After two years in charge, Kinnear moved with the team; along with the Dynamo boss, 10 players who came to south Texas with the club are still with the Dynamo.
"We're not going there to hang out and reminisce," Kinnear said. "We are there to play. Obviously, we are going to shake hands and be friendly and hugs and all that, too, but I think it's important we step on to the field with the same mindset we had in Chicago. I think if we do that, it makes for a better trip."
The Dynamo are finally as healthy as they have been all year, but will be missing Corey Ashe who is with the U.S. under-23 national team for a tournament in France.
San Jose's winless streak is now at four after last Saturday's loss to the New England Revolution. The seventh-place Earthquakes will have a lot of emotion as the resurgent Dynamo invade the city.
Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell, who scored the game winner against Chicago, said it's important that the team not overlook their struggling opponent.
"They are definitely still finding their way," Boswell said. "The important thing for us is to control what we can control, and that is how we play. We go into every game hoping to win it and trying to play to win it. We don't sit back.
"We are going to continue going the way we've been going and continue doing what we've been doing, and hopefully, we will come out on top."
Andrew J. Ferraro is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
