The Dynamo are plenty proud of their back-to-back MLS Cup championships, but longer-tenured players keep in mind that this core group of players has won four championships in seven years, including MLS Cup titles in 2001 and 2003 as the San Jose Earthquakes (they also won the Supporters' Shield for having the best regular season record in 2005).
So when most of the players moved to Houston, they were not happy to leave their records in the Bay Area, where they were later inherited by the expansion Earthquakes.
"When we moved, we weren't allowed to take our accomplishments with us, and that made us feel very disrespected," defender Eddie Robinson said. "For all the hard work we put in, we didn't appreciate that at all. When they put a team back there and put two stars on their jersey, that didn't make us very happy."
The two stars above the Earthquakes crest represent those MLS Cup championships, and they may have been one of the sparks that flamed a burgeoning rivalry. After scoring the equalizing goal in the teams' 1-1 tie in Santa Clara on September 20, forward Brian Ching celebrated by pointing to the star above his own jersey and telling Earthquakes fans that Dynamo players put the stars on San Jose uniforms.
Robinson, one of just two players who has been on all four championship teams between the cities, said the players felt disrespected by some of the reaction from San Jose fans upon their return.
"When we went back to San Jose, we expected the fans to be appreciative of all that we did for soccer in that city, and it was the exact opposite," Robinson said. "There was a lot of disrespect. Right there is the chip on our shoulder."
As if animosity in the stands were not enough, the teams have developed a healthy intensity in their two prior meetings. Of the Dynamo's 28 players, 12 represented the Earthquakes at one time and another six come from California, while head coach Dominic Kinnear played and coached in San Jose. On the other side, Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop coached several Dynamo players to those MLS Cup titles in San Jose in 2001 and 2003, and the Earthquakes have two former Dynamo players in Ryan Cochrane and Kelly Gray.
As if the team's many connections were not motivation enough, they meet Wednesday with first place on the line for Houston and a playoff spot in the balance for San Jose. "There are two teams going out there with different motives but no less intensity toward accomplishing their goals," Robinson said. "They were a bit fortunate in our last game, and we're definitely not forgetting that. We've got a bit of unfinished business."
Robinson was set to miss the teams' third meeting of the season due to suspension, but after the match was postponed due to Hurricane Ike, he served the suspension against Colorado on October 4 and will get to play against the Earthquakes again. His presence at center back will help the Dynamo back line against the service of San Jose wingers Ronnie O'Brien (right) and Darren Huckerby (left).
"Against San Jose, you're not looking for so many of the short passes played in the middle and balls over the top," Robinson said. "They want to get the ball wide, get the ball in the box, and attack the box. As a team, we defend crosses and set pieces very well, and we have been and will continue to be good at that. So it's two strengths going against each other, and whoever's sharper that night should come out on top."
With just a two-point lead atop the Western Conference, the Dynamo want to take full advantage of their game in hand and stretch that lead to five points with two games to play. At the same time, they will have another chance to remind San Jose fans who's responsible for all four stars that adorn the Dynamo and Earthquakes logos.
