As Sporting Kansas City travels to face the Houston Dynamo tonight at BBVA Compass Stadium, I caught up with MLSsoccer.com's Darrell Lovell to preview the match. Live coverage of the match is available on 38 The Spot and SKCTV starting at 7:00 p.m. CT (kickoff at 7:30).
Jonathon Feyerherm: Is Wednesday’s match a must-win to keep the Dynamo’s playoff chances realistic?
Darrell Lovell: I am not sure their playoff hopes are realistic regardless. They're never going to concede but losing the last two, especially the game at home to RSL, really did their chances in. Math says the team still has a chance, but those are extremely long odds. I think in the literal sense it is a must-win to keep them alive but they are at the point now where even a five-game win streak may not be enough.
JF: What’s been the Dynamo’s form at home this season?
DL: The Dynamo's form prior to the RSL game has been very good. The club seems to find their attacking legs and flow in their comfy confines. Before that 3-1 loss to Salt Lake they were undefeated at home in the prior six games going 5-0-1. They've been much better there than on the road and that is because of their attack. Giles Barnes produces at home as well as several other key players where they have not shown the propensity to do so on the road. Houston's been good at home.
JF: These two sides have played to two draws in MLS play this season and one Sporting KC win in Open Cup. What are you expecting for Wednesday’s match?
DL: Same as always, a competitive match that is one part physical and one part technical. On paper these are two of the more talented teams. The names read very well on both sides. When they come in at their maximum it has the chance to be a stellar game, like the 4-4 draw earlier this season at BBVA. The midweek schedule and games surrounding may hurt that but I expect the teams to continue to pull the best out of each other. Just seems to be in each groups DNA.
JF: What were the expectations for the Dynamo heading into season and where do they currently stand on those?
DL: The club rhetoric was reload not rebuild. I think most bought into that a little but I didn't go all the way in. There were times earlier in the season, especially right before the summer international slate, where they looked like a good playoff team. However, I think the roster needed turnover in the off season so coming in I thought they would battle for that sixth spot. I think some had them a little higher and lower but that is where I had them. I think they've fallen off that pace for the most part and they haven't played up to their talent level. Injuries and international absences have hurt that, but they invested in depth and to be honest that depth didn't take up the slack. That plus their inability to grab points on the road in favorable situations really hurt them. I think, if you look at them logically, this team needs another offseason and will come up short of the expectations that their name recognition and talent suggests. The truth now is that it was not really a reload situation, it was a rebuild and that's where they are.
JF: What sort of lineup can we to see from the Dynamo on Wednesday night?
DL: The midfield and attack are in tact for the most part. Getting Raul Rodriguez back from suspension is important and the health of DaMarcus Beasley, who I think was the best left back in MLS before getting hurt on international duty, will dictate where they go in the back.
