The Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire will clash for their first and only meeting of the season at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Friday. Both teams are coming off U.S. Open Cup midweek victories, but leave a lot to be desired in their MLS form.
Houston comes into this home match off the heels of a late night victory on Tuesday against Colorado in a U.S. Open Cup tie by a 1-0 score line. As mentioned above, though, their league form leaves them in ninth place in the Western Conference with five wins in 17 league matches.
The Dynamo have relied a lot this year on attacking opponents at home while sitting back on the road under manager Owen Coyle. Look for The Orange to come out somewhat attacking against an under whelming Fire side. Will Bruin leads the team in scoring with seven goals and will need to step up even more with the absence of striking partner Giles Barnes, who has six goals on the season. Barnes, along with Jermaine Taylor is representing Jamaica in the Gold Cup and will be notable absences to a side also missing Honduran international Oscar Boniek Garcia.
Chicago comes into the match shorthanded and in poor league form as well. The Men in Red have dropped four straight MLS matches and look to avoid a five match losing streak, something they have not suffered since their inaugural season in 1998. Alarmingly, the Fire have not won a road match yet this season, blowing their best chance at Yankee Stadium in mid-May leading by two goals and up a man. Chicago also has not disposed of MLS competition since May 30, leading to calls for head coach Frank Yallop's head. Yallop, as well as the team and fans, are desperate for a win and turnaround.
Chicago will be missing defender/midfielder Joevin Jones due to international duty with Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, Designated Players Shaun Maloney and David Accam will miss the match due to injury. The Fire will rely heavily on the goal scoring of 2013 MLS MVP Mike Magee. Magee, while returning a couple weeks back, took advantage of his first start with a brace midweek against NASL side Charlotte Independence. Patrick Nyarko's cameo on Tuesday in his return gives Chicago speed on the wing that it'll be missing due to absences. Coach Yallop will need to utilize when to play the speedster as he is returning to fitness from a long term injury.
The match will be broadcast on Univision Deportes on Friday night at 9pm Eastern. Tune in to see if the Dynamo can get back on track or if the Men in Red can start a turnaround from the basement of the Eastern Conference and get their first ever win at BBVA Compass Stadium.