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Dynamo want all three points at Chivas

Jul 22, 2011 - 5:48 PM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - The Houston Dynamo and Chivas USA share many similarities heading into their meeting at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night.

Houston and Chivas are unbeaten in their last four Major League Soccer matches, with both teams sharing a 1-0-3 record over that stretch.

Putting the whole season in perspective, only one point separates the Eastern and Western Conference teams. Houston (5-6-9) sits in fourth place in the East with 24 points, while Chivas (5-7-8) find themselves in seventh in the West with 23 points.

Houston, having lost 2-0 to English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers in a Wednesday-night friendly, will look a little different after a trade with the Portland Timbers on Thursday.

The Dynamo sent defender Mike Chabala, midfielder Lovel Palmer, and an international roster slot to the Timbers in exchange for Adam Moffat and allocation money. Moffat is expected to join the team immediately.

The trade comes at a crucial point in the season for the Dynamo, and midfielder Brad Davis explains what the match against Chivas could mean for his side.

"[This game's] very important," the All-Star told MLSsoccer.com. "We're at a point in the season where we need to start picking up points for the playoff run."

Chivas have an All-Star midfielder of their own in Nick LaBrocca, and if the Dynamo wish to get a favorable result in California Saturday, they will need to find some way to contain him.

"He finds the ball well, especially working off their forwards," Dynamo midfielder and fellow All-Star Geoff Cameron told MLSsoccer.com. "You have to be aware of his movement because he likes the ball at his feet. We have to be aware of him on and off the ball, but if we control the game possession wise we'll do well."

Houston will have to execute the possession game plan without Brian Ching and Colin Clark, who will be unavailable for the match as they serve suspensions after receiving red cards in the Dynamo's 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City.

According to Davis, it's irrelevant who is on the field for the Dynamo. He says they need a win to continue to push for a playoff spot.

"We put ourselves in a good position last game and we've been getting some good results," Davis told MLSsoccer.com. "We've got to make a push and start getting three points to put ourselves in a good position come playoff time."