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Dynamo-Crew Preview

Jul 23, 2010 - 4:53 PM By BRETT HUSTON STATS Writer

Houston (5-7-4) at Columbus (9-3-4), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Columbus Crew began a three-game stretch at home with a shocking loss before bouncing back with a critical win.

Perhaps no team needs a victory these days as badly as the Houston Dynamo.

That won't be easy Saturday night in Columbus, where the Crew look to pad their Eastern Conference lead while extending the Dynamo's winless streak in league play to seven for the first time in franchise history.

Houston (5-7-4) and Columbus (9-3-4) have been atop its respective conferences in each of the past two regular seasons, and with a five-point cushion in the East, the Crew seem primed to do so once more.

The Dynamo, on the other hand, will need to pick it up in the season's second half just to qualify for the postseason. Houston has followed a three-game losing streak prior to the World Cup break with three straight draws since returning, tying the franchise record for the longest winless drought.

It hasn't had a chance to pick up three points since a visit from Columbus two weeks ago. The Dynamo and Crew played to a scoreless draw July 10, a result that pleased coach Dominic Kinnear despite some missed offensive opportunities.

"I think we're just inches away from pulling off something good here," Kinnear said. "We are inching along, and we need to take some big steps now, but I do think we are on the verge of starting to do that."

Columbus, meanwhile, has been busy since returning from Houston. The Crew dropped a chance to earn what seemed to be three easy points in a stunning 1-0 loss to Kansas City on July 14, but got goals from Emilio Renteria and Brian Carroll on Saturday in a 2-0 win over New York that solidified their hold on first place.

"We played one of (our) best games," coach Robert Warzycha said. "The players responded very well. ... What I was happy about today was the composure. Everybody knew what work to do and where to go defensively and offensively. I'm very pleased."

The Crew will take on somewhat of a different look in this matchup, however. Defender Frankie Hejduk was sent off late in the win over the Red Bulls, forcing him to sit Saturday, while Carroll won't play due to a sprained right ankle.

Rookie defender Shaun Francis will likely fill Hejduk's spot, while Robbie Rogers could regain a starting role in Carroll's absence, leaving Adam Moffat and Eddie Gaven to partner in the central midfield.

Both teams are having issues putting the ball away lately, and those problems start with their star strikers. Columbus' Guillermo Barros Schelotto hasn't scored in four matches, while Houston's Brian Ching has one goal in four games while missing a few golden opportunities.

The all-time series between the teams is tied at 2-2-5, with the Crew leading 2-1-1 at home.