MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Dynamo Host Philadelphia Union Tonight with Spot in Conference Final on the Line

Published on November 3, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


HOUSTON, TX (Thursday, November 03, 2011) -- The Houston Dynamo have a chance to advance to their fourth conference championship game in six years when they host the Philadelphia Union tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The match, presented by Sunkist Orange Soda, is the Dynamo's final game at Robertson Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the first 10,000 fans will receive free orange rally towels. Tickets are still available by calling (713) 276-GOAL, and fans are advised to arrive early (parking lots open at 4 p.m.) to avoid long lines.

Houston leads the total-goals series 2-1 after winning the opening game in Philadelphia on Sunday, so the Dynamo need a win or a tie to advance. A one-goal Philadelphia win would send the series to extra time, while a multi-goal Philadelphia win would see the Union advance. The Eastern Conference championship game will be played Sunday at Sporting Kansas City, which won its semifinal series Wednesday night.

Thursday's match will be televised nationally on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes and can be heard in the Houston area on SportsTalk 790 and La Ranchera 850.

Houston is making its fifth playoff appearance in six seasons, and the club has advanced from three of the four previous conference semifinal series with wins at home. The Dynamo beat Chivas USA in 2006, FC Dallas in extra time in 2007, and Seattle in extra time in 2009. Houston is 5-1 all-time at home in playoff games and tied for the second-best home record in Major League Soccer in 2011 with a 10-3-4 record. The Dynamo are unbeaten in their last seven games (5-0-2). Houston is led by defenders Bobby Boswell and Geoff Cameron (5 goals each), midfielder Brad Davis (MLS-best 16 regular-season assists), forward Brian Ching (7 career playoff goals), and goalkeeper Tally Hall (10 saves in playoff opener).

Philadelphia is making its first playoff appearance after entering the league last season. The Union finished just one point behind the Dynamo during the regular season and finished tied for the second-best defense in Major League Soccer, allowing 1.06 goals per game. Philadelphia is led by goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, defender Danny Califf, midfielder Freddy Adu, and forward Sébastien Le Toux.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first five seasons and represented the United States in international competition four consecutive years from 2007-10. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.

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