Final
Revolution-Dynamo Preview
Jul 24, 2009 - 5:54 PM By DAN PIERINGER STATS WriterNew England (5-5-5) at Houston (9-4-5), 8:30 p.m. EDT
The Houston Dynamo defeated the New England Revolution to win MLS Cup titles in 2006 and '07, but they didn't get their first regular-season win over the Revs until the clubs' first meeting this year.
Returning home should improve their chances of completing the sweep.
The MLS-leading Dynamo look to remain unbeaten at Robertson Stadium on Saturday night when they host the Revolution, who haven't lost in three trips to Houston.
Houston (9-4-5) won the MLS Cup in each of its first two seasons of existence, beating New England (5-5-5) both times. The Dynamo, however, were 0-3-3 against the Revolution during the regular season - 0-2-1 at home - before winning 2-0 on the road May 3.
Stuart Holden and Brian Ching scored for Houston, while New England managed only three shots - one on goal - as it played without stars Taylor Twellman and Steve Ralston.
The Dynamo will also be missing key players Saturday, as Holden and Ching are with the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. New England's Jay Heaps won't play for the same reason.
Twellman remains sidelined for the Revolution because of a concussion. New England, though, got a key player back when Shalrie Joseph returned Sunday after a two-game absence due to a knee injury.
After sitting out the entire first half, the midfielder - tied for the team lead with five goals and first on the club with five assists - set up Kheli Dube's go-ahead goal in the 61st minute and New England went on to beat Chivas USA 2-0.
"He helped us a lot holding the ball," Dube said of Joseph's controlling of the midfield during the second half. "Playing with a big guy like that, he gives you opportunities."
Dube's goal was New England's first in MLS play since Joseph scored in the 28th minute of a 3-1 loss at Kansas City on June 13. The Revolution finished with 13 shots Sunday, five on goal.
With Joseph directing the offense, they placed four of their eight second-half shots on goal.
"It's a matter of just keeping possession, then moving the ball," Joseph said. "We started off flat and me coming in, it gave them (teammates) a lift."
The Dynamo are playing their first MLS home match since a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake on June 20. They're 5-0-3 at Robertson Stadium but went 1-2-1 during a stretch of four straight on the road.
Houston managed to salvage a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC in its most recent match last Saturday. Defender Bobby Boswell scored the tying goal in the 75th minute off his own rebound, his first goal of the year and second in 46 games spanning two seasons with Houston.
"Goals come from a lot of places," coach Dominic Kinnear told the team's official Web site. "... (Boswell) was just so alert in both boxes today, and (he) understands the value of playing his role at both ends of the field, in defensive positions but also on attack."
- MLS
NEW ENGLAND 1
HOUSTON 0 FINAL
Jul 25 10:29 PM - MLS UPDATE
NEW ENGLAND 1
HOUSTON 0
NEW ENGLAND GOAL: Kheli Dube in the 76th minute
Revolution 1, Dynamo 0 76'Jul 25 10:12 PM - MLS
NEW ENGLAND 0
HOUSTON 0 HALFTIME
Jul 25 9:24 PM
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