Game Notes: Houston Dynamo at Chicago Fire - Sunday, May 20
May 16, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release
HOUSTON - The Houston Dynamo will hit the road for the second consecutive week as they travel to the Land of Lincoln to take on the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park on Sunday afternoon. This will be the 24th all-time meeting between the two clubs and their only matchup this season. Houston doused the Fire 3-0 on Decision Day 2017 at BBVA Compass Stadium in their last matchup, but Sunday's contest promises to be much more competitive.
Despite settling for a disappointing 2-2 draw last Friday night at Vancouver, the Dynamo bring a large measure of confidence in their ability to earn results away from home. Houston has picked up points in three of four road matches this season and has taken the lead in all four away matches. The last time the Dynamo held a lead in five straight away games was a stretch from Sept. 14, 2011 through March 17, 2012. The trick for Houston now is to take the full three points away from home, rather than just one.
To do that, they'll need to keep a dangerous Chicago attack in check. Fire forward Nemanja Nicolic won the Golden Boot a year ago with 24 goals and already has five to his account this year, while legendary German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has pitched in four assists and a goal of his own so far this year. The Dynamo back line has been in a state of flux all season due to injuries and suspensions, but that turmoil has allowed two players to emerge as consistent contributors. Andrew Wenger, Houston's Golden Boot winner in 2016, has slid back from his usual forward spot to man the defensive flank and has performed admirably over the last five games at both right and left back. In the middle, Alejandro Fuenmayor has started five of the last six contests and has appeared to grow in confidence with each passing week.
Offensively, the Dynamo are once again one of the most dangerous squads in Major League Soccer, with 20 goals through nine games. Houston has had the luxury of having several players step up to key the offense this year. Forward Alberth Elis leads the way statistically with four goals and five assists on the year, while Colombian forward Mauro Manotas heads the scoring chart with five goals. Romell Quioto has been a force over the last month, with two goals and four assists in Houston's last four outings. Not to be outdone, midfielder Tomás Martínez has contributed two goals and three assists in eight appearances.
It'll also be a return to old stomping grounds for a pair of Dynamo players. Defender DaMarcus Beasley spent five years with the Fire from 2000-04 before heading to Europe, playing in 98 games with 88 starts in Chicago. Midfielder Arturo Alvarez played for the Fire in 2016 and 2017, playing in 55 games with 37 starts. He scored eight goals for Chicago, including the game-winner in a 1-0 win over the Dynamo in Houston's last visit in 2016.
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