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Dynamo-Revolution Preview

Aug 13, 2010 - 8:26 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

Houston (5-9-5) at New England (5-9-3), 8:00 p.m. EDT

The playoffs aren't out of the question for either the Houston Dynamo or New England Revolution. To make a push, though, both teams desperately need to start stringing some victories together.

Simply winning one game would be a good start for the Dynamo.

Houston, which is expected to be without Brad Davis, seeks its first victory in more than 2 1/2 months Saturday night against the Revolution in Dynamo assistant coach Steve Ralston's first game back in New England.

Houston (5-9-5) is six points out of the final playoff spot - somewhat surprising considering the club has earned just four points in its last nine matches. Since blanking D.C. United on May 22, the Dynamo are 0-5-4 for their longest winless skid since relocating from San Jose after the 2005 season.

Last Saturday's 2-0 loss to Seattle marked the third time in four games that Houston was shut out, and coach Dominic Kinnear said there's no secret to what the Dynamo need to get back on track.

"A win - simple as that," he said. "It's a hard thing to do, but an easy thing to talk about. We need a win."

Getting that elusive victory could be tough, however, if Davis is unable to play. Houston's leader with four goals and six assists suffered a left quadriceps strain against the Sounders.

The Revolution (5-9-3), two points behind Houston, are finally starting to notch a few victories. They're 2-0-1 in their last three league games after a 1-8-2 stretch.

The next step for New England, which defeated United 1-0 last Saturday, is winning back-to-back games for the first time since early April.

"We've got to pick up points if we're going to get back in this thing," midfielder Pat Phelan told the Revolution's official website. "We don't feel like we are out of the playoff race."

Phelan scored his first goal of the season last Saturday, and Matt Reis earned his second shutout in three games for New England, which is welcoming a familiar face back to Gillette Stadium in Ralston.

The career leader in games, starts, minutes and assists in MLS, Ralston spent eight seasons with the Revolution before retiring July 20. Just two days later, the 36-year-old decided to become an assistant to Kinnear, a former teammate from 1998-2000 with now-defunct Tampa Bay.

Ralston led the Revolution to four MLS Cup championship games, and they plan to honor him prior to this match.

"I'm going to have a big smile seeing him back again," said Shalrie Joseph, who took over as New England's captain following Ralston's departure. "I wish he was on our bench. I wish he was still playing."

Houston and New England split two meetings last season.