Union 1 - 0 Dynamo
Final
  for this game

Union opens 2nd season at Eastern foe Houston

Mar 18, 2011 - 6:14 PM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Union open their second season in Major League Soccer on the road, at the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at Robertson Stadium.

"We're ready for it," Union forward Danny Mwanga told his club's website. "It's always nice to play when the games start meaning something. We feel like we have a lot to prove this season, too."

Union coach Peter Nowak described his team as "relaxed but focused" heading into the season opener.

"They're getting pretty anxious and you can see in practice," he said. "We had to cut off the practice [Tuesday] because it was so competitive. The time on the field is crucial but everyone wants to be in the starting 11 and in the travel party, which is great for us as a coaching staff.

"We need to be relaxed but focused. I think deep inside we know what we are all about. Deep inside we know that we have a good, quality team. The rest will be putting that stuff on the field, executing the right way. Being a team is more important."

The Dynamo will be hosting their first MLS match as an Eastern Conference club after being realigned into the conference this offseason, and the healthy of the midfield, Geoff Cameron in particular, will be key to the success of the team this year.

"Coming off the knee injury last year, I put in a lot of work this offseason and came into preseason fit and confident, and I feel like I've played pretty well so far," Cameron told his club's website.

The team is suffering from some injury knocks, however, with veteran striker Brian Ching officially listed as doubtful for the game with a hamstring injury he suffered in the preseason.

"We've played a lot in the preseason without him," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We're used to it a little bit, but I think we're a much more complete team if he's healthy and available for us."

Also out for Houston are midfielders Colin Clark and Francisco Navas Cobo.

The Union's official injury report lists defender Juan Diego Gonzalez as questionable and attacker Sebastien Le Toux as probable.






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