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MLS Preview: Houston Dynamo – Columbus Crew
The defending MLS Cup champions open up on the road, against a Dynamo side staving off a possible downturn.
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 8:00 pm ET
Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas
Mar 20, 2009 5:11:25 PM
Of Shiny Things
The Houston Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cups before relinquishing their crown to the Columbus Crew in 2008. The two teams were built similarly—speed on the flanks, steady backline, and an expert, experienced playmaker in the middle. But both sides must deal with one major change this year: Houston lost central engine Dwayne DeRosario, while Columbus was forced to replace head coach Sigi Schmid after he bolted for Seattle.
This opener will go a long way toward defining the season for the respective teams. A Houston win might portend a step back for the Crew and a renewal of the Dynamo’s marquee status. A Columbus win hints that Houston—which was tossed from the CONCACAF Champions League earlier this month—is a team on the wane and that the Crew have “repeat” stitched into their jerseys.
American Made
Houston coach Dominic Kinnear has the most American roster in MLS. With just three foreigners, Sierra Leonean Kei Kamara, Canadian Pat Onstad, and Trinidadian Julius James, the Dynamo must rely on the things Americans traditionally do well: working hard, battling on set pieces, and staying organized defensively. The question is: Who will provide the necessary creativity?
DeRosario’s departure, as well as Nate Jaqua’s leaving for Seattle, leaves gaping holes in the Dynamo’s attack. So does two-game suspension handed out to Kamara following his verbal threatening the referee after a preseason game a few weeks ago. The offense, then, will depend almost fully on US international Brian Ching’s ability to get into good positions. Stuart Holden is being asked to provide the thrust in the middle, but there are doubts that he’s ready to carry the load. Brad Davis and Brian Mullan certainly have the skills and pace to run the flanks and deliver good service into the middle, where the Big Kahuna will battle with Columbus centerback Chad Marshall, the Defender of the Year last year.
The Dynamo defense is filled with question marks. Stalwart Eddie Robinson is out following left knee surgery, and outside backs Wade Barrett and Craig Waibel have lost a few steps. But Bobby Boswell re-signed after an off-season trial in Turkey, and James, who joined Houston in the trade that send DeRosario to Toronto, showed during the CCL that he has the tools to be an effective centerback, injecting some much-needed athleticism to the backline. The one silver lining: US holding midfielder Ricardo Clark has the ability to shut down Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
How Much Does the Coach Count?
Of course, shutting down Schelotto is never a sure thing. El Mellizo was MLS’s 2008 MVP, leading the Crew to a remarkable and unexpected Cup win. Heading into 2009, there were very few changes to the roster: Brad Evans was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, but other than that, everyone is back. But there was one big change on the sidelines. Longtime assistant Robert Warzycha was named head coach after Schmid’s departure.
Warzycha, a former Polish international and Crew fan favorite as a player, has been with Columbus for more than a decade and so he should have little trouble instilling a sense of continuity to the team. The starting lineup has 10 of the 11 that started the Cup final. The only difference is Emmanuel Ekpo’s inclusion alongside the ever-steady Brian Carroll in the center midfield, at least until Adam Moffat returns from injury. Ekpo is more attacking than Evans, and will look to link up with Barros Schelotto and striker Alejandro Moreno.
The real weapons for the Crew are on the flanks, though. Robbie Rogers on the left and Eddie Gaven on the right, both like to get into the attack with their pace and trickery, and both have quick surging wingbacks behind them in Gino Padula and captain Frankie Hejduk. And centerback Marshall, a brilliant and consistent defender, is also a massive presence on set pieces.
Players to Watch
Houston – Stuart Holden. The former US Olympian has been handed the keys to the Houston midfield. The 23-year-old has the ambition to hold his own defensively, and he had three goals and four assists in 2008. But he will have to provide more attacking spark this year, something that won’t be easy to do against the Crew’s Brian Carroll.
Columbus – Alejandro Moreno. A bullish targetman, Moreno had a career year in 2008, nabbing nine goals and four assists. His form earned him a return to the Venezuelan national team, for whom he scored in a 3-1 win over Ecuador. His strength on the ball and surprisingly quick first step will give Houston’s relatively slow back line fits.
Prediction
Houston is not the juggernaut they were two years ago, but they still have a strong core of players and the Ching’s uncannily consistent ability to find the back of the net. Columbus shouldn’t have any problem transitioning to Warzycha’s administration. Houston 1-1 Columbus.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
The Houston Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cups before relinquishing their crown to the Columbus Crew in 2008. The two teams were built similarly—speed on the flanks, steady backline, and an expert, experienced playmaker in the middle. But both sides must deal with one major change this year: Houston lost central engine Dwayne DeRosario, while Columbus was forced to replace head coach Sigi Schmid after he bolted for Seattle.
This opener will go a long way toward defining the season for the respective teams. A Houston win might portend a step back for the Crew and a renewal of the Dynamo’s marquee status. A Columbus win hints that Houston—which was tossed from the CONCACAF Champions League earlier this month—is a team on the wane and that the Crew have “repeat” stitched into their jerseys.
American Made
Houston coach Dominic Kinnear has the most American roster in MLS. With just three foreigners, Sierra Leonean Kei Kamara, Canadian Pat Onstad, and Trinidadian Julius James, the Dynamo must rely on the things Americans traditionally do well: working hard, battling on set pieces, and staying organized defensively. The question is: Who will provide the necessary creativity?
DeRosario’s departure, as well as Nate Jaqua’s leaving for Seattle, leaves gaping holes in the Dynamo’s attack. So does two-game suspension handed out to Kamara following his verbal threatening the referee after a preseason game a few weeks ago. The offense, then, will depend almost fully on US international Brian Ching’s ability to get into good positions. Stuart Holden is being asked to provide the thrust in the middle, but there are doubts that he’s ready to carry the load. Brad Davis and Brian Mullan certainly have the skills and pace to run the flanks and deliver good service into the middle, where the Big Kahuna will battle with Columbus centerback Chad Marshall, the Defender of the Year last year.
The Dynamo defense is filled with question marks. Stalwart Eddie Robinson is out following left knee surgery, and outside backs Wade Barrett and Craig Waibel have lost a few steps. But Bobby Boswell re-signed after an off-season trial in Turkey, and James, who joined Houston in the trade that send DeRosario to Toronto, showed during the CCL that he has the tools to be an effective centerback, injecting some much-needed athleticism to the backline. The one silver lining: US holding midfielder Ricardo Clark has the ability to shut down Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
How Much Does the Coach Count?
Of course, shutting down Schelotto is never a sure thing. El Mellizo was MLS’s 2008 MVP, leading the Crew to a remarkable and unexpected Cup win. Heading into 2009, there were very few changes to the roster: Brad Evans was selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, but other than that, everyone is back. But there was one big change on the sidelines. Longtime assistant Robert Warzycha was named head coach after Schmid’s departure.
Warzycha, a former Polish international and Crew fan favorite as a player, has been with Columbus for more than a decade and so he should have little trouble instilling a sense of continuity to the team. The starting lineup has 10 of the 11 that started the Cup final. The only difference is Emmanuel Ekpo’s inclusion alongside the ever-steady Brian Carroll in the center midfield, at least until Adam Moffat returns from injury. Ekpo is more attacking than Evans, and will look to link up with Barros Schelotto and striker Alejandro Moreno.
The real weapons for the Crew are on the flanks, though. Robbie Rogers on the left and Eddie Gaven on the right, both like to get into the attack with their pace and trickery, and both have quick surging wingbacks behind them in Gino Padula and captain Frankie Hejduk. And centerback Marshall, a brilliant and consistent defender, is also a massive presence on set pieces.
Players to Watch
Houston – Stuart Holden. The former US Olympian has been handed the keys to the Houston midfield. The 23-year-old has the ambition to hold his own defensively, and he had three goals and four assists in 2008. But he will have to provide more attacking spark this year, something that won’t be easy to do against the Crew’s Brian Carroll.
Columbus – Alejandro Moreno. A bullish targetman, Moreno had a career year in 2008, nabbing nine goals and four assists. His form earned him a return to the Venezuelan national team, for whom he scored in a 3-1 win over Ecuador. His strength on the ball and surprisingly quick first step will give Houston’s relatively slow back line fits.
Prediction
Houston is not the juggernaut they were two years ago, but they still have a strong core of players and the Ching’s uncannily consistent ability to find the back of the net. Columbus shouldn’t have any problem transitioning to Warzycha’s administration. Houston 1-1 Columbus.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
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