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United-Dynamo Preview

Jul 31, 2009 - 7:16 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

D.C. (6-3-10) at Houston (9-5-5), 8:30 p.m. EDT

The Houston Dynamo saw their long home unbeaten streak come to an end in their latest game, but there's still much at stake in their next contest at Robertson Stadium.

The MLS-leading Dynamo look to bounce back from their first regular-season home loss in more than a year Saturday night when they face D.C. United.

Houston (9-5-5) went 12-0-5 in 17 home matches - 5-0-3 this season - going into a meeting with New England last Saturday.

The Dynamo couldn't add to their MLS-best total of 32 points, falling 1-0 despite an 8-5 edge in shots on goal.

"We didn't play well, and we know it was a game we could have played better," coach Dominic Kinnear said. "Our possession was OK, but the further we got up the field, we were either forcing the issue or not being explosive enough."

The loss was Houston's first at home since falling 2-0 to New England on June 12, 2008, leaving it three points ahead of second-place Seattle.

The Dynamo appear to have a very good chance to rebound Saturday considering United's problems on the road. D.C. is 1-3-6 away from RFK Stadium, allowing 2.0 goals per game.

United (6-3-10) looked to be in line for their first road win since April 26 last Saturday at San Jose, taking the lead on two early goals from Christian Gomez - his fifth and sixth of the season. The Earthquakes, though, cut their deficit to one prior to halftime and converted a penalty kick in the 62nd minute to earn a 2-all draw.

"We've constantly talked about making sure we become a better team and have the killer instinct," coach Tom Soehn said. "We should have put them away."

San Jose outshot D.C. 12-4 after the 30th minute.

"We came out and probably played one of the worst halves I've seen," Soehn said of the second half. "Mental errors, there were tons of 'em. We just didn't have it. That's not a sign of a team that wants to become better."

Kinnear will be on the sidelines Saturday, unlike in United's 1-0 home victory over Houston on April 4. He was suspended from that contest after being ejected from the Dynamo's previous game, and missed Luciano Emilio netting the match's lone goal.

Houston should have its full complement of five All-Stars, including Brad Davis, who scored the lone goal for MLS in Wednesday's game. Everton beat the MLS squad 4-3 in penalty kicks after the teams played to a 1-all tie.

Brian Ching, who decided to skip the All-Star game to rest after a stint with the U.S. national team, is expected to return Saturday. Ching leads the Dynamo with five goals, one more than Kei Kamara and Stuart Holden.

Houston is 2-0-1 against United at Robertson Stadium, with Ching scoring goals in his team's two wins.