There has to be a first time for everything. Statistically and mathematically, an MLS side is bound to win in Mexico in CONCACAF competition eventually. On Tuesday night, the Houston Dynamo hope to be the first MLS team to win in Mexico in continental competition when they face Atlante FC in Cancun, Mexico (9 p.m. CT).
Compared to some of Houston's previous travels in CONCACAF, playing at the Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo in Cancun should, on paper, be an easier task. Houston will not have to contend with altitude like they did against Pachuca at the Estadio Hidalgo. They won't be dealing with a hostile crowd and artificial turf as they did against Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica. Trinidad & Tobago's Joe Public FC were even able to hand Atlante a loss at home in the group stage of the tournament.
However, the game isn't going to be played on paper and math and statistics can be thrown out the window any time a team from Mexico faces off against a team from the United States. To advance, Houston will have to score goals, and Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear is well aware of the task in front of Houston.
"We need to score and we know that," he said.
In the first leg last week at Robertson Stadium, the Dynamo got a first-half goal from Bobby Boswell for a good start. But in the 82nd minute, Gabriel Pereyra scored an all-important equalizer on the road to leave the game tied 1-1. For the Dynamo to advance to the semifinals, they must either win outright, or score at least two goals in a tie. A 1-1 tie, after extra time, would send the series into a penalty kick shootout.
"Every time we step on the field we try to win the game," Dynamo forward Brian Ching said. "Last time we went to Mexico it was 4-4 against Pumas (in the group stage). So we're not afraid to go down there and attack and put the pressure on the other team."
The most difficult choice for the Dynamo coaching staff will be whether to start Eddie Robinson in central defense. While Robinson was suspended for the first leg, Bobby Boswell and Julius James played well together. Kinnear will be left choosing between Robinson's experience and distribution out of the back or James' superior speed.
Houston had success in the last two matches maintaining possession which helped hold the Atlante attack at bay, including a 4-0 defeat of the Mexican club at Robertson in last summer's SuperLiga. To advance, the Dynamo will likely have to continue that formula.
"One thing I told the guys is they never really penetrated us, so hopefully we can keep that going," Kinnear said.
However, Atlante are going to be a different team at home.
"They have good attacking players. Gabriel Rey is a good player, Pereyra, who really played deep and he's more on an attacking player -- those guys, if they feel more comfortable at home, they can create problems for us, so we have to be ready for that," Kinnear said.
For the players, they are looking forward to the opportunity to get the proverbial monkey off the back of MLS.
"We know what we have to do," Ching said. "No MLS team has won down there before, so we know it is going to be a big task. We are a confident team. We are going to go down there and give it everything."
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
