Their 11-game unbeaten streak in league play might be over, but Houston Dynamo still sit in first place in the Western Conference and in MLS. Houston will have the chance to remain in first place and possibly give themselves some breathing room on top of the MLS standings when they face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
After last Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Real Salt Lake, Dynamo have been itching to get back on the field and get their winning ways going again.
"I think the big thing for us was acknowledging that our last five games are not good," said Houston defender Craig Waibel. "We only had one loss but only one win with three ties in there. That's one disappointing thing, and in the bigger picture is in the last five, we haven't done what we think this team should have done. That's squared away, and we have acknowledged that. We had to acknowledge that together, which is a little bit aggravating to us."
The Orange have won both meetings against the Rapids this season. Colorado is in need of a win after going 0-7-3 in their last 10 games. The Rapids haven't won a game since a 1-0 win against the LA Galaxy on May 26.
But, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear knows better than to look at past results and records.
"We just need to play well. When we play well, it gives us a better chance at winning games," Kinnear said. "You can look at past results, and you can look at past results against Salt Lake, and that meant nothing. Past results mean nothing. It's a new game. They are still fighting for playoffs. We're all still fighting for playoffs. There's lots of games and lots of points out there. I don't think it's anything Colorado or Houston, I just think we play well, and when we play well, it gives us a better chance at winning."
Houston leads the Western Conference by a point ahead of FC Dallas and holds a one-point margin over New England for best record in the league. Saturday's game presents Houston with an opportunity to extend their leagues in the standings.
"There's still a chip on our shoulder. If you look at games in hand, there are still three teams, who can go ahead of us if they win their games in hand," Waibel said. "We're in first place for now ... That's the motivating factor for us. We have to put enough room in between us and those teams with the games in hand that they can't catch us. Right now, if those teams win their games in hand, we can sit third or fourth in the league, which isn't where this team belongs."
Throughout the season, Houston's defense has been solid, and it has stayed solid for the Orange. Dynamo have allowed two or more goals just twice this season, and they know their defense has to remain consistent for them to continue winning.
"It's not just the back four. It starts up front," said Houston defender Ryan Cochrane. "I'm sure you've heard it before, but it's all 11 guys on the field playing defense. I think that's something we just have to keep doing. I don't think that's something that will give us a problem."
Scoring has been another story for the defending MLS Cup champions as over the last four MLS and SuperLiga games Houston has played, the Orange haven't scored more than a goal. The Orange know that scoring comes and goes, but they hope their scoring touch comes back in a hurry.
"We struggled to score early, then we scored a bunch and now we are in a lull," Waibel said. "That happens. I don't know many teams who have gone a whole season scoring. We're in a bit of a lull, but once we get back going again. ... Our defense has been sturdy. Once we hit the back of the net again, we have no worries."
With Colorado needing a win to put an end to their winless streak, and Dynamo needing a victory to stay atop the standings, Saturday's game is important for both teams.
"At this point in the season, everything is crucial. Every game is crucial," Cochrane said. "It's going to take all 11 guys on the field to get a win, especially away from home. At this point in the season, every game matters. Whether we're in first place and they are trying to catch us or we're in last place, every team is trying to win games, so I'm sure they are going to come out firing and so will we."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
