Houston Dynamo return to the field Thursday in an MLS Primetime match with Chivas USA at Robertson Stadium looking to keep their three-game winning streak going. But with 10 days in between their last game at Columbus and this one, might the Orange have a little rust come Thursday?
Dynamo's players don't think so.
"It's very nice to have the break because it's been a very busy last couple weeks for us," said defender Wade Barrett. "(We are) not too worried about having any rust because we are a couple months in the season, so there shouldn't be any rust from having a couple days off to rest."
Since defeating Columbus 2-1 on June 10, the Orange have been off. The Columbus victory capped off an eight-day stretch in which Houston defeated FC Dallas and Colorado.
Earlier this season, Dynamo defeated Colorado and then had a nine-day break before playing at Toronto FC. The Toronto game started a three-game losing streak for Houston.
But, the Orange aren't thinking of what happened earlier this season and aren't thinking of a repeat of earlier this season.
"Whenever you are on a winning streak, you want to continue playing as many games as possible because you are feeling good and feeling confident," said striker Chris Wondolowski. "The ball is bouncing our way. The break is good too. The guys have played a lot of games in a short amount of time, so it's good to get our legs back under us. With Chivas coming in here Thursday night, the heat is going to play with them a bit, so I like our chance."
With their current three-game winning streak, Dynamo are feeling more confident. Houston has scored six goals in the last three games after scoring six in the previous eight games.
Wondolowski said the confidence on the team is at a season high and the guys just want to get back on the field.
Even through their struggles the first two months of the season, Barrett said the team was still confident.
"We've always been a confident group even when things weren't going well," Barrett said. "We didn't lose confidence in the team, and we didn't lose confidence in each other, so it's good we got the results because we played well in the games where we didn't get any points. We finally had a couple good performances and got the results out of it. I think the group does feel confident not just from those three wins but from how we've played throughout the season."
With Chivas coming to Robertson on Thursday night, Houston feels rested and ready to continue their winning streak, but they know Chivas will be a tough challenge.
"Hopefully, we can keep the intensity up in the game and that will show in the game," said forward Joseph Ngwenya. "Chivas is going to be tough, but hopefully, we come out prepared to play."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
