[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he home side is buzzing with a renewed confidence. The visitors are healthier than ever and bring on two new weapons to the squad. Both teams remain hungry as ever for three points to be playoff contenders, not pretenders.
The Columbus Crew (7-8-9, 30 pts.) are currently fourth in the MLS Eastern Conference table and in control of it’s own playoff destiny. Their most recent 4-1 victory against the L.A. Galaxy put a damper on Landon Donovan’s final appearance at Crew Stadium. In a hotly contested playoff race, Columbus must not lose focus as the Houston Dynamo come to town looking to play the spoiler role on Saturday night.
Columbus will look to it’s attacking trio of forwards Federico Higuain, Justin Meram, and midfielder Ethan Finlay for quality scoring chances.While Dynamo defensive eyes will be heavily keyed on Higuain for his playmaking abilities, Meram’s impact on the game cannot be understated. As both a starter and second half substitute, Meram has scored in each of the past two Crew matches. Dynamo defender Kofi Sarkodie will need to play tactically a sound and disciplined 90 minutes to neutralize the Columbus attack.
The Houston Dynamo (7-12-4, 25 pts.) come into Columbus winning two of it’s last three matches, the most recent a 2-0 result on August 15 against the Philadelphia Union. The Orange Crush feel very confident with all of their star players back and healthy, as well as two new club additions.
New acquisitions of USMNT defender/midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and defensive midfielder Luis Garrido give La Naranja two players with international experience and a high soccer IQ. Despite limited time with their new club, these know how to quickly develop team chemistry and put fellow teammates in the best position on the pitch.
In the scouting report, captain Michael Parkhurst and the Crew defense will need to give special attention to returning USMNT forward Brad Davis. Whether at the free kick position or the final third of the pitch, Davis can be a wizard with the football, leading the Dynamo with six assists. With Davis back in the lineup, Houston forwards Will Bruin and Giles Barnes will look to exploit the Columbus back four via quick counter-attacks.
Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall will need to have an extraordinary performance and communicate well with his backline to give his squad a chance to win against the Black & Gold. When asked by the official team site about Houston’s chances, Hall expressed a sense of optimism about his team’s chances: “Columbus always gives us a good game, traditionally we have struggled against them but I feel like we’re playing our best soccer of the year and we’re very consistent.”
For the Crew, it will be especially important to get on the scoreboard first and fire up the Nordecke supporters. Away from BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston has found limited scoring opportunities, netting an MLS worst seven away goals (road goal differential of -19). Only once this season – in July’s 4-2 defeat to Toronto FC – have the Dynamo taken the lead on the road.
If the Black & Gold want to wrap up their homestand on a high note, they need to score early and often against a team notorious for conceding goals away from home.
Match start time is 7:30 p.m. EST (6:30 p.m. CST). The Columbus Crew can be seen locally on Time Warner SportsChannel or on MLS Live online.
This report was contributed by Brent Hawk from our partners at Press Row Sports and Entertainment.
