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Played
July 10, 2010 8:30 PM EDT
Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas
July 10, 2010 8:30 PM EDT
Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas
Houston Dynamo Vs Columbus Crew: Head To Head Preview
By Julian Kersh and Nick Rosano
On Form
Houston Dynamo, by Julian Kersh: After a shaky first third of the season, veteran keeper Pat Onstad has been the reliable force for Houston. He produced some big saves to preserve his team's point in the Dynamo's last two ties and usually records more saves than his opposite between the posts. However, coach Dominic Kinnear can't be pleased that there isn't anything more praiseworthy about his team's efforts so far other than his goalkeeper.
Columbus Crew, by Nick Rosano: After a slump in form, the Crew seem to be picking themselves up, having won three straight games since MLS play resumed. The team has been looking for someone to step up and score the goals, considering Steven Lenhart's poor run of form, and on Saturday they just might have found that person. Jason Garey scored a fine headed goal and hit the post on Saturday, and looked very good in his off-the-ball movement. Of course, Garey had good support, with both Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto producing solid displays going forward. Finally, both Chad Marshall and Will Hesmer were at their assured best.
Off Target
Houston: That's probably the best way to describe Houston's strike force so far this season – off target. To be fair, the club's regular hitman Brian Ching has been aggravated with injury and was maybe distracted with trying to earn himself a position on the national team, but no Dynamo player has netted more than three times this season. Changes have been made consistently trying to find the right duo up front, but they'll need to find that goal-producing line-up quickly if they want to climb out of the bottom half of the table.
Columbus: The obvious one here is Frankie Hejduk, who had an uncharacteristically poor game against Chicago. Not only did he score the own goal that gave Chicago their equalizer, he struggled all day to contain Patrick Nyarko and the quick Fire attack, which led him to be removed in the second half in favor of Danny O'Rourke. Andy Iro was also not at the top of his game against the Fire, as he had issues with positioning and the trickery of some of the Chicago attackers, but luckily for the Crew he was not made to pay.
Tactics
Houston: Adding to their problems up top, the Dynamo will be without Joseph Ngwenya, who received a red card against Toronto. After coming back to the team since his 2007 stint in Houston, Ngwenya netted his first goal of three games this campaign against Colorado two games back. Ngwenya was used both in the midfield and as a forward, so Kinnear will have to find another offensive threat to fill out the team’s standard 4-4-2 formation.
Columbus: Although Frankie Hejduk had a poor game against Chicago, he is likely to retain his starting spot. The question for Robert Warzycha is on the other side of defense, whether Gino Padula will keep his spot or whether the coach will favor Danny O'Rourke. Eric Brunner is a possible replacement in the center of defense for Andy Iro after the Englishman's shaky game on Saturday. Otherwise, expect Warzycha's 4-4-2 to have much of the same offensive feel, with Garey keeping his spot alongside Schelotto.
Intangibles
Houston: It's been a negative habit that the Dynamo tend to fall asleep toward the end of each half. In the last 15 minutes and stoppage time of each half, the Dynamo have been outscored seven to three. Conceding seven times in the closing minutes of halves is a definite concern about the team's mentality, and against an offensively punishing team like Columbus could prove to be the difference.
Columbus: The Crew continue their grueling schedule with a game against Charleston in the U.S. Open Cup before traveling to Houston, and with the long run of games still continue, this match will once again test the depth of the Crew lineup, as even the less able performers will have to step up and do their part. The Crew will also want to show they have what it takes to win on the road against Western Conference opposition, something they haven't done all season.
Outcome
Houston: The Dynamo have improved on their form since their 4-1 drumming at the hands of the LA Galaxy more than a month ago, but two less-than-thrilling ties since aren't indication that Houston have improved enough to corral Guillermo Schelotto and company at home. 2-1 Columbus Crew.
Columbus: The Crew won't lose this one, but the tough schedule will take its toll. I'll go for a 1-1 draw when all is said and done.
Houston Dynamo, by Julian Kersh: After a shaky first third of the season, veteran keeper Pat Onstad has been the reliable force for Houston. He produced some big saves to preserve his team's point in the Dynamo's last two ties and usually records more saves than his opposite between the posts. However, coach Dominic Kinnear can't be pleased that there isn't anything more praiseworthy about his team's efforts so far other than his goalkeeper.
Columbus Crew, by Nick Rosano: After a slump in form, the Crew seem to be picking themselves up, having won three straight games since MLS play resumed. The team has been looking for someone to step up and score the goals, considering Steven Lenhart's poor run of form, and on Saturday they just might have found that person. Jason Garey scored a fine headed goal and hit the post on Saturday, and looked very good in his off-the-ball movement. Of course, Garey had good support, with both Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Barros Schelotto producing solid displays going forward. Finally, both Chad Marshall and Will Hesmer were at their assured best.
Off Target
Houston: That's probably the best way to describe Houston's strike force so far this season – off target. To be fair, the club's regular hitman Brian Ching has been aggravated with injury and was maybe distracted with trying to earn himself a position on the national team, but no Dynamo player has netted more than three times this season. Changes have been made consistently trying to find the right duo up front, but they'll need to find that goal-producing line-up quickly if they want to climb out of the bottom half of the table.
Columbus: The obvious one here is Frankie Hejduk, who had an uncharacteristically poor game against Chicago. Not only did he score the own goal that gave Chicago their equalizer, he struggled all day to contain Patrick Nyarko and the quick Fire attack, which led him to be removed in the second half in favor of Danny O'Rourke. Andy Iro was also not at the top of his game against the Fire, as he had issues with positioning and the trickery of some of the Chicago attackers, but luckily for the Crew he was not made to pay.
Tactics
Houston: Adding to their problems up top, the Dynamo will be without Joseph Ngwenya, who received a red card against Toronto. After coming back to the team since his 2007 stint in Houston, Ngwenya netted his first goal of three games this campaign against Colorado two games back. Ngwenya was used both in the midfield and as a forward, so Kinnear will have to find another offensive threat to fill out the team’s standard 4-4-2 formation.
Columbus: Although Frankie Hejduk had a poor game against Chicago, he is likely to retain his starting spot. The question for Robert Warzycha is on the other side of defense, whether Gino Padula will keep his spot or whether the coach will favor Danny O'Rourke. Eric Brunner is a possible replacement in the center of defense for Andy Iro after the Englishman's shaky game on Saturday. Otherwise, expect Warzycha's 4-4-2 to have much of the same offensive feel, with Garey keeping his spot alongside Schelotto.
Intangibles
Houston: It's been a negative habit that the Dynamo tend to fall asleep toward the end of each half. In the last 15 minutes and stoppage time of each half, the Dynamo have been outscored seven to three. Conceding seven times in the closing minutes of halves is a definite concern about the team's mentality, and against an offensively punishing team like Columbus could prove to be the difference.
Columbus: The Crew continue their grueling schedule with a game against Charleston in the U.S. Open Cup before traveling to Houston, and with the long run of games still continue, this match will once again test the depth of the Crew lineup, as even the less able performers will have to step up and do their part. The Crew will also want to show they have what it takes to win on the road against Western Conference opposition, something they haven't done all season.
Outcome
Houston: The Dynamo have improved on their form since their 4-1 drumming at the hands of the LA Galaxy more than a month ago, but two less-than-thrilling ties since aren't indication that Houston have improved enough to corral Guillermo Schelotto and company at home. 2-1 Columbus Crew.
Columbus: The Crew won't lose this one, but the tough schedule will take its toll. I'll go for a 1-1 draw when all is said and done.
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Houston Dynamo 0-0 Columbus Crew
- 25 %
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Houston Dynamo 3-0 Columbus Crew
- 12.5 %
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Houston Dynamo 9-0 Columbus Crew
- 12.5 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Apr 21, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - Houston Dynamo 2 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 14, 2011 | Columbus Crew 2 - Houston Dynamo 2 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jun 18, 2011 | Houston Dynamo 0 - Columbus Crew 2 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 24, 2010 | Columbus Crew 3 - Houston Dynamo 0 |
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| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 10, 2010 | Houston Dynamo 0 - Columbus Crew 0 |
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Houston Dynamo
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| May 26, 2012 | Houston Dynamo 2 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | New England Revolution 2 - Houston Dynamo 2 | MLS |
| May 15, 2012 | Houston Dynamo 0 - Portland Timbers 0 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Houston Dynamo 1 - D.C. United 0 | MLS |
| May 9, 2012 | New York Red Bulls 1 - Houston Dynamo 0 | MLS |
Columbus Crew
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| May 26, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - Chicago Fire 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Columbus Crew 2 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | San Jose 1 - Columbus Crew 1 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 5, 2012 | Portland Timbers 0 - Columbus Crew 0 | MLS |
| - | Pat Onstad | Goalkeeper |
| 32 | Bobby Boswell | Defender |
| - | Richard Mulrooney | Midfielder |
| 11 | Brian Ching | Striker |
| 15 | Cam Weaver | Striker |
| - | Danny Cruz | Midfielder |
| 31 | Andre Hainault | Defender |
| - | Eddie Robinson | Defender |
| 22 | Lovel Palmer | Midfielder |
| 26 | Corey Ashe | Midfielder |
| - | Mike Chabala | |
| 11 | Brad Davis | Midfielder |
| 11 | Brian Mullan | Midfielder |
| 1 | Will Hesmer | Goalkeeper |
| 14 | Chad Marshall | Defender |
| 12 | Eddie Gaven | Midfielder |
| 22 | Adam Moffat | Midfielder |
| - | Jason Garey | Defender |
| 4 | Gino Padula | Defender |
| 6 | Andy Iro | Defender |
| - | Frankie Hejduk | Defender |
| - | Robbie Rogers | Midfielder |
| 7 | Brian Carroll | Midfielder |
| 7 | Guillermos Barros Schelotto | Striker |
| 32 | Steven Lenhart | Striker |
| 5 | Danny O'Rourke | Defender |
| 17 | Emmanuel Ekpo | Midfielder |
| Brian Ching | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 11 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Emilio Renteria | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 20 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |