Ilsinho registered assists for both goals Wednesday night, against the Red Bulls.
The Houston Dynamo host the Philadelphia Union Saturday night, kickoff is at 9 PM EST. The Union are coming off of a win in the US Open Cup Wednesday, where a tale of two halves saw Philadelphia end strong in a 2-1 victory of the New York Red Bulls. The leaders in the East will have their work cut out for them, as the travel to play a Houston team that is in form. The Dynamo are also coming off of a 3-1 victory over Sporting KC in the USOC. Both teams have advanced to the quarterfinals in that competition.
Houston interim head coach Wade Barrett took over for Owen Coyle on June 7th of this year. In that time he has a 2-1-1 record, scoring 9 goals and only conceding 4. Granted, 4 of the goals scored were in the USOC match against San Antonio FC. In the league since Barrett’s appointment, the Dynamo are only 0-1-1, despite putting in some strong performances. They will be disappointed in the one loss this month, having gone 2-0 up against reigning MLS champions Portland Timbers, only to lose 3-2.
Former Union winger Andrew Wenger returns to play his former club for the first time Saturday. He is tied as the high-scorer on the Dynamo with 4 goals after a slightly disappointing season with the Union. Midfielder Christian Maidana will also be playing the Union for the first time since his departure last winter. The Argentine set a Union record last year with 15 assists, and was second in the league in that category.
The Union will need a good result to confirm their first place standing. NYCFC is only 2 points from the leaders, and barring a poor result could overtake the Union. Philadelphia has had some struggles defensively, conceding 10 goals in the past 4 games. In the past 3 league games, the Union conceded 3 goals in each match. The defense has proven earlier this year they are competent, and can keep clean sheets and shut down even the most prolific of goal scorers. Players will have to step up Saturday. All 11 men will be called upon to defend for the Philadelphia.
The Union are not without offensive issues as well. Fabian Herbers, having stepped in for the injured CJ Sapong picked up a knock before Wednesday’s USOC match, and stand-in Sebastien Le Toux picked up a concussion in that same match. With 3 injured forwards coach Jim Curtin may look to inexperienced Leo Fernandes. The young lefty has shown in several cameo appearances he has the technique and finesse that could make him a great addition to this Union line-up. This reporter is excited to see if Curtin will give Fernandes the nod. In Wednesday’s post match press conference Curtin spoke highly of Fernandes, giving the youngster his full confidence. “In the last two games Leo has come in and made a real mark on the game. I say it in front of our whole group in training, Leo is our best player, almost every day; in terms of getting goals, and setting up goals. Now he has the chance to do it on the big field, in the big moment.”
Despite this game being a “first versus worst” game in terms of both teams place in the standings, the Union will be wary of the threat Houston posses. Were the Dynamo in the east, there is no doubt that they would be much higher in the table, and might even be threatening the Union’s place. The Western Conference has shown superiority over the East this season, and the Dynamo are a team that will feel their position in the table is unjustified. Come Saturday we will see how strong the West truly is. Fatigue will certainly be a factor for both teams, with Wednesday’s game still looming over players heads and and in their legs.
