It's a new opponent for Houston Dynamo in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, but the song remains the same.
As they did against Puntarenas FC of Costa Rica in the quarterfinals, Dynamo will have to overcome a gap in fitness and a strong attacking side in Mexican club CF Pachuca Wednesday night in the first leg of the semis. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT in Houston, and the match will air live on FSC.
"The most important thing for us is the attitude we bring to the game," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "The opponent we play is going to be good; we know that. Being at home obviously has its advantages, but most importantly for us, our attitude and our mental approach to the game is key."
Pachuca, champions of the 2006 Clausura tournament in the Mexican Primera Division and the winners of the 2006 Copa Sudamericana, are already nine games into this year's Clausura tournament. They're well on their way toward another trip to the Mexican league postseason, as they lead Group 2 by five points.
By contrast, Dynamo have only been in preseason training for a little more than a month. They've played only two games that matter, and their fitness was clearly lacking in that quarterfinal set against Puntarenas.
Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson said that while the team was "50-55 percent" fit for the Puntarenas tie, they're up to "80-85 percent" for the semifinals. Kinnear concurred.
"The physical part of it, we're still a little bit away, but we've had a good month now with two very competitive games and some good exhibitions," Kinnear said. "So, I think we're closer to where we'd like to be."
In the past 10 days, Dynamo have played three exhibition matches against MLS competition while training at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. That workload, Robinson said, has helped to push Dynamo's fitness level forward.
Robinson and the Dynamo defense will have to be on their toes against the Tuzos. Pachuca are tied for third in the Primera Division with 14 goals scored. Forward Juan Carlos Cacho leads the team with four goals.
"We've got to be smart at all times," Robinson said. "I think we're going to need to have a two-goal lead going into Mexico to give ourselves a chance.
"As long as we're smart and don't get caught up in attacking too much, I think we should be fine. I think starting off at home really helps to get in to that mindset."
Kinnear said he believes Dynamo won't be able to count on Pachuca playing for a draw in Houston and a win in Mexico. Rather, he sees the Tuzos in the mold of Puntarenas, who came out attacking in the quarterfinal second leg in College Station, Texas, on March 1. To counteract that, Dynamo plan to take the initiative and go on the attack themselves.
"Their strength lies in their attack," Kinnear said. "They have four very good forwards that interchange. The spine of their team, the middle of the field from back to front, is very strong."
Kinnear said he told his team, "Let's go try to attack them and see if they can handle us."
The Orange have limited injury woes. Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario and goalkeeper Pat Onstad - who came out of the first leg against Puntarenas leg early on and missed the second leg entirely due to a calf strain - aren't 100 percent, but both are available for selection. Midfielder Stuart Holden is out.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
