MLS Playoff Preview: New York Red Bulls v. Houston Dynamo

New York Red Bulls v. Houston Dynamo
When: 4:00pm ET, Saturday, November 1
Where: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

The Gist: This seems to be the quintessential mismatch: the two-time defending champions against a squad that sleepwalked backwards into the playoffs. The defending champs, the Houston Dynamo, won the Western Conference regular season on 51 points, boasting a record of 13-5-12, the fewest losses in the league.

New York’s mediocre 10-11-9 record was good enough -- by one point -- to secure the final wildcard berth, which was rewarded with a spot in the Western bracket and a date with the Dynamo. The Red Bulls’ playoff hopes looked bleak, at best, following last week’s 5-2 thrashing in Chicago. But after DC United could not win at Columbus, the Bulls were granted access into MLS’s second season.

Many are expecting it to be a quick exit for New York, who have only one playoff series victory in franchise history. Houston, on the other hand, well, most people see them marching back to the final.

Why You Should Care (Other Than Because It’s the Playoffs!): There are a few twists and plot lines that make this an interesting series.

One odd twist is Houston’s futility on artificial turf. The Dynamo have not fared well on a synthetic surface in the past few years, especially on the hard Giants Stadium ground. Houston has lost its last two matches at Giants Stadium. The latter of those two was in August, when the Red Bulls pulled out a dominant 3-0 victory.

However, that victory capped off a three-game winning streak for New York, and since then, the Red Bulls have won only twice in nine tries. Still, the Red Bulls have been solid at home, at least over the long term this season. That, coupled with Houston’s aversion to artificial turf, is an interesting caveat that may give the Bulls a little more of a shot in the first leg.

Based solely on current form, however, Houston has a big-time advantage. The Dynamos have lost only once since that 3-0 drubbing by the Red Bulls back in August (a lopsided defeat at Pumas in the CONCACAF Champions League, after sending a reserve squad to Mexico City). They have gotten a result in every other match, in all competitions.

Houston’s balanced attack will give New York’s shaky defense fits. Brian Ching and Dwayne DeRosario are both currently in excellent form. And the side’s other weapons – big targets Kei Kamara and Nate Jaqua, active and tricky midfielders Brad Davis and Stuart Holden – give Houston an awesome arsenal that is clicking right when it needs to.

The same cannot be said about New York’s defensive corps.

Expect New York head coach Juan Carlos Osorio to employ the same back four that held Houston goalless in August. Osorio tinkered with his lineup before the match against Chicago, when he inserted Gabriel Cichero in the back. Cichero was awful, and has been for some time, so it is unlikely we will see him in the starting 11 for New York. Instead, Mexican defender Diego Jimenez should get the nod at center half, partnered with Andy Boyens.

Who’s the Man Right Now? Dwayne DeRosario and Juan Pablo Angel. De-Ro had another excellent season, notching seven goals from midfield. He orchestrates the entire attack, and as he goes, so does Houston. New York will need to shut him down. But the Red Bulls have arguably the best player in MLS, Juan Pablo Angel, and he is enjoying a run of excellent form. He’s scored in the last two matches. If the Red Bulls are to have any shot in this series, he has to be great - maybe even better.

Prediction: New York 1, Houston 1: The Red Bulls need a win, but a draw leaves them in a rough situation heading back to Houston for the second leg.

-- Chris Celletti, Goal.com