Even though Houston Dynamo have clinched a playoff spot and know they will have a chance to defend their MLS Cup championship, they refuse to take a rest.
With four games remaining in the regular season the next task is ahead of the Orange -- winning the Western Conference.
"It was our first goal in the season to clinch a playoff spot, but it really is our goal to clinch the West and get the Supporters' Shield if possible," said Dynamo defender Ryan Cochrane. "There's no taking our foot off the pedal now. We're still going to take it one game at a time like we do all year. We'll see where we stand before the playoffs, but our goal is to win every game, and we're not taking any rests or breaks."
Houston is in second place in the West, two points behind Chivas USA and five points ahead of FC Dallas, who Dynamo play on Sunday in Frisco. They also trail D.C. United by five points in the race for the best regular season record. Dynamo are riding a five-game unbeaten streak and want to keep that going over the last four games to ensure the final game of the season at Chivas will mean something.
"Clinching a playoff spot is nice, but clinching home-field advantage is a big thing, and we are trying to push for that," said Dynamo forward Nate Jaqua. "Some of it isn't in our hands because if Chivas was to win out, then we wouldn't be able to get it. We play Chivas that last game, so hopefully, that means something, and it will be a deciding factor."
The Orange will be playing Sunday with more fresh bodies as the training room continues to be emptied. Midfielders Stuart Holden and Brad Davis could get some minutes on the field, and forwards Brian Ching and Paul Dalglish as well as defender Craig Waibel returned last game against Los Angeles.
The extra bodies are coming at a crucial time for Dynamo.
"We had that little stretch run in August and July where we had a lot of guys missing," said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. "We can't moan and whine about it, we had to go about our business, but now, when we look at our training and see the guys that are participating, you are happy with the squad."
But, Houston knows the last four games of the season will all have playoff implications of some sort. A win at Dallas on Sunday would put the Orange eight points up on their rivals with three games left for each team, while possibly putting Dynamo back in first.
Dynamo can't control what Chivas does the rest of the way, but they are concentrating on Dallas right now, knowing what lies ahead the final four games.
"There's definitely implications on the line the last four games," Cochrane said. "The other teams we're playing are going to be looking to make the playoffs and get up there. Dallas is the only game we are looking at. It's always a battle with them. There's a little bit of bad blood between us and them, so it's going to be a good game. Definitely, no relaxing these last four games. It will all sort itself out."
Jeremy Rakes is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
