HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Dynamo returned home for the first time in almost one month, playing to a scoreless tie against division rival Chivas USA.
Although it had several scoring opportunities throughout the game, including two clear chances by forward Paul Dalglish, who made his home debut, and a free kick by Brad Davis that hit the crossbar in the first half, the Dynamo simply could not convert on goal. Chivas had a goal by Ante Razov disallowed, also in the first half, while Forward Alejandro Moreno also scored a goal in the game's waning moments that was also disallowed.
With the tie, Houston (10-8-10) is still holding on to second place in the Western Conference, with 40 points, with 4 games to play. The Men in Orange lead Chivas USA and Colorado by only one point in the standings. FC Dallas, on the other hand, continues to hold first place, but only by 6 points.
HOUSTON DYNAMO PRACTICE SCHEDULE, SEPTEMBER 18-22:
Monday, September 18: * OFF
Tuesday, September 19: 9:30-11:00, Carl Lewis Track Field
Wednesday, September 20: Optional *, 9:30-11:00 a.m., at Carl Lewis Track Field
Thursday, September 21: 9:30-11:00 a.m., at Carl Lewis Track Field
Friday, September 22: 9:00-10:30 a.m., Carl Lewis Track Field
<em>* TEAM TRAVELS TO COLUMBUS </em>*</p>
WAY TO GO, WAIBS!
Congratulations to Dynamo Defender Craig Waibel, who on Sunday played his 100th career game. Coming off a serious injury while playing for San Jose in 2005, Waibel has played in 24 games this year, scoring three goals, making him a strong candidate for MLS' Comeback Player of the Year Award. He also becomes one of 9 Dynamo players to have more than 100 career games played in Major League Soccer. The other 8 members of this distinct club are Pat Onstad (112), Brian Mullan (141) Alejandro Moreno (119), Kelly Gray (121), Dwayne De Rosario (134), Brad Davis (121), Ricardo Clark (111), and Wade Barrett (169).
ROBINSON, MULLAN BACK AGAINST COLUMBUS
Dynamo Midfielder Brian Mullan and Defender Eddie Robinson will be back for Saturday's game against Columbus. Mullan completed a one-game suspension on Sunday, September 17, after being ejected from the match against the Galaxy, on September 10, for a second caution issued in the 66th minute. Robinson, on the other hand, completed a two-game suspension, after being ejected for violent behavior against Carlos Ruiz on September 2.
ONLY TWO HOME GAMES TO GO
The Dynamo are gearing up for their final two home games of the season. After this weekend's contest against Columbus, Houston returns home to face Freddy Adu, Jaime Moreno, Christian Gomez, and their D.C. United teammates on Saturday, September 30. The Dynamo will be looking for payback from MLS' best team, after dropping the first meeting of the season against D.C., 2-0. The Dynamo will close out the regular season against the team that paid it its first visit: the Colorado Rapids. Houston holds a 2-1-0 record against the Rapids, who are currently tied for third place in the Western Conference, along with Chivas USA, in the race for the 2006 MLS Cup Playoffs. To purchase your tickets, please call the Houston Dynamo Ticket Office at 7134-276-7500, 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.
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