Weekly update: Must-win second leg

HOUSTON, Texas - The Houston Dynamo has to win its home playoff game in Houston on Sunday, following a 2-1 loss in the first leg of their first-round 2006 MLS Cup Playoff series against Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center.

Chivas opened up the scoreboard at the 45th minute. After a dangerous play outside the box, Ante Razov was able to score with a beautiful free kick to Pat Onstad's right post.

Chivas got itself on the board once more at the 68th minute. After a great service from the right by Sacha Kljestan, who a minute before had come in for Juan Pablo Garcia, Francisco Palencia was able to put a header past Onstad.

Houston was able to react at the 74th minute mark. With a good pass from the right wing, Brian Mullan was able to service Brian Ching, who put in a solid header past Guzan for his first goal of the post season.

With this result, Houston must now win its home playoff debut by 2 goals or more in order to advance to the 2006 MLS Western Conference Finals. Should Houston win by a 1-0 score in the second game of the series, both teams will play two 15-minute halves. If the game is still tied after that, the winner of the game, and the series, will be defined by penalty kicks. The second leg of this home-and-home series is scheduled for Sunday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. CT at Robertson Stadium.

HOUSTON DYNAMO PRACTICE SCHEDULE, OCTOBER 23-28

Monday, October 23: * OFF *

Tuesday, October 24: 9:30-11:00 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

Wednesday, October 25: * OFF *

Thursday, October 26: 9:30-11:00 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

Friday, October 27: 9:30-11:00 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

Saturday, October 28: 9:00-10:30 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

CHIVAS USA PRACTICE SCHEDULE, OCTOBER 23-28

Saturday, October 28: 12:00-1:00 p.m., Carl Lewis Track Field.

* (ALL PRACTICE TIMES AND LOCATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE) *

PLAYOFF TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Houston Dynamo Playoff tickets are now on sale! Come to Robertson Stadium to cheer on the Dynamo as they battle for their playoff lives on Sunday, October 29 against Chivas USA! Ticket prices will remain consistent with 2006 regular-season pricing. Dynamo full-season ticket holders will automatically receive admission to this game as part of their 2006 package. Season-ticket holders are to use Bonus game 4/Game 20B tickets for this contest. To purchase your tickets, call the Houston Dynamo Ticket Office, at 713-276-7500, or Ticketmaster. You can also purchase them online, at www.houstondynamo.com.

2007 SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

2007 Houston Dynamo Season Tickets are now on sale only by calling the Houston Dynamo at 713-276-7500. After a successful inaugural season, and a great response from Houston fans, the Dynamo has expanded its benefits for season ticket holders, and VIP Club Members. Houston Dynamo season ticket holders receive some of the best benefits in Texas pro sports. Packages are flexible and affordable for both families and corporate clients. The Dynamo will feature a variety of new ticket packages in 2007, including the "Birthday Package". Hurry to purchase the best seats at Robertson Stadium! To purchase your 2007 season tickets, call the Houston Dynamo Ticket Office at 713-276-7500.

REMEMBER, GAME TIME FOR SUNDAY IS NOW 7:00 P.M.!

After dropping the away game of their home-and-home playoff series against Chivas USA, the Dynamo return home to try to get back on track. Remember: the game is now scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. CT at Robertson Stadium. The Dynamo is unbeaten at home against Chivas this season, and it looks to keep things that way en route to the 2006 MLS Western Conference Finals. The game will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel, FSN Prime Ticket, HDNet, and DirecTV's Direct Kick Package. To purchase tickets, please call 713-276-7500, or log on to www.houstondynamo.com.

KINNEAR'S CONVERSATION

Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will be answering fan questions every week of the 2006 season via the Houston Dynamo web site, www.houstondynamo.com. Fans can submit questions by navigating to the "Fans" section of the website, and clicking on the link "Kinnear's Conversation", located on the right hand side of the page. Selected questions will be answered in an online article every Thursday.

HOUSTON DYNAMO IN THE COMMUNITY

On Tuesday, October 24, from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m., Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark, Chris Wondolowski, and Aaron Lanes will be at the McDonald's located at 5512 Belaire, in Houston, TX 77081. There they will sign autographs for all who attend.

On Wednesday, October 25, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., Mpho Moloi will be at Food Town, located at 8800 West Sam Houston, in Houston, TX 77099. There, Moloi will sign autographs for those who attend.

On Thursday, October 26, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., Martin Hutton, Mike Chabala, Aaron Lanes, Marcus Storey, and Mpho Moloi will be on KHOU's "Great Day Houston". There, they will help "pump up" our home playoff game on Sunday, October 29, against Chivas USA.

On Thursday, October 26, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., Craig Waibel and Chris Aloisi will be at the McDonald's, located at 11825 Bellaire, in Houston, TX 77072. There, they will sign autographs for those who attend.

On Friday, October 27, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., Eddie Robinson, Martin Hutton, Mpho Moloi, and Mike Chabala will be at Lone Star Chevrolet, located at 18900 Northwest Freeway, in Houston, TX 77065. There, they will all sign autographs for all who attend.

CHECK OUT THE DYNAMO ON TV AND RADIO (ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Houston Dynamo Head Coach Dominic Kinnear will be this week's guest on ESPN 790 AM's Dynamo Power Hour, which airs every Wednesday, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. On Wednesday's show, Kinnear will discuss the team's performance in their away playoff match against Chivas USA, and give their thoughts on the team's upcoming home playoff contest against Chivas USA.

TV Informa 43's "Dynamo TV", is your best source for Dynamo-related news and information. The show airs every Tuesday, from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Among other topics, Danny Gonzalez will talk about the Dynamo's performance against Chivas USA, and also about the team's upcoming home playoff game against Chivas USA.

Radio Concierto 101.7 FM's "La Hora del Dynamo" gives you one full hour of everything you need to know about the Houston Dynamo. Hosted by Dagoberto Puello, Daniel Mejía, Hector López, and Ricardo Palacio, the show features interviews and in-depth coverage of anything and everything related to the Dynamo. The show airs every Friday, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Alex Soler has the Dynamo covered. On Thursdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Soler hosts "Cadena Deportiva" on KYST 920 AM. In his show, Soler discusses the day's events, takes calls from fans, and features interviews with special guests. On Sundays, Soler hosts "La Media Hora del Dynamo" in La Tremenda 1010 AM, from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. On this show, Alex talks about the previous night's game, featuring in-depth analysis and information from Major League Soccer and other soccer leagues throughout Latin America and Europe.