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MLS Houston Dynamo FC

Houston Dynamo Game Notes

March 9, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Houston Dynamo FC News Release


The Houston Dynamo begin a seven-game road trip with a return to The Home Depot Center 112 days (16 weeks) after ending their 2011 campaign there on Nov. 20 (MLS Cup Final, a 1-0 loss to LA Galaxy). The venue is the same, but the opponent is Chivas USA, a side which beat the Dynamo 3-0 in Carson on July 24, 2011 behind a Justin Braun hat trick in the last meeting between the clubs. It marked the first time that Chivas USA defeated the Dynamo in league play since Aug. 26, 2006, snapping a 12-game winless streak. Houston returns nine starters from the MLS Cup team of 2011, with Danny Cruz and Carlo Costly the only departures. Chivas USA had a very busy offseason, with 16 new players, highlighted by Ecuadorians Miller Bolanos and Oswaldo Minda. The Dynamo defeated Chivas 2-1 at Robertson Stadium on June 11 in the other meeting of 2011. Houston leads the all-time series 10-4-6 in all competitions and 9-2-5 in regular season play. Houston has had a tougher time in Carson, as they are 2-2-3 (9 GF, 10 GA) at Chivas USA while enjoying a 7-0-2 (18 GF, 2 GA) home record against the Goats.

Dynamo Notes

The Dynamo's offseason consisted mostly of moves to add depth to a core of returning starters. Houston acquired three players via draft (F-Colin Rolfe, D-Warren Creavalle and M-Brian Ownby), three via trade (D/M-Nathan Sturgis, F-Macoumba Kandji and F-Brian Ching), and one trialist signing (GK-Erich Marscheider).

MLS SuperDraft picks Colin Rolfe and Warren Creavalle will likely not start the opening match versus Chivas USA. Will Bruin became the first Dynamo rookie in club history to ever start an opening-day match on 3/19/11 vs. Philadelphia. Geoff Cameron (3/29/08) was the only other rookie to appear in an opener. Ninth-year head coach Dominic Kinnear had started only one rookie on opening day before Bruin in his coaching career: Danny O'Rourke in 2005 with San Jose.

A 3-0 loss to Chivas USA last July was a significant turning point for the Dynamo season. After the defeat at The Home Depot Center on July 23, the Dynamo became one of the hottest teams in MLS, posting a 10-2-4 record in their last 16 games (playoffs included). That stretch included a 7-1 record against Western Conference teams. Houston went 9-6-4 in 2011 against its former conference.

Forward Will Bruin led the Dynamo offense in the preseason with four goals, including the club's lone goal in four matches in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando, a header goal versus Montreal. Brian Ownby (3) Colin Clark (2), Colin Rolfe (2) Nathan Sturgis (2) rounded out the Dynamo scoring leaders.

With construction continuing at BBVA Compass Stadium, the Dynamo's new downtown facility, the club is forced to begin its season with seven games on the road. After road games with Chivas USA, San Jose, Seattle, Chicago, Columbus, DC United and New York, Houston opens its new stadium against DC United on May 12.

2011 Dynamo Season Opener: Lost 1-0 vs. Philadelphia at Robertson Stadium (Danny Califf 5').

First Goal of 2011: Geoff Cameron (Game 2 @ SEA on 3/25)

First Win of 2011: 3-1 vs. Vancouver on 4/10 (Game 4) after an 0-1-2 start. Cam Weaver, Bobby Boswell and Will Bruin tallied the goals.

First Road Win of 2011: Amazingly, it took Houston 16 games to record its first road win of the 2011 campaign. After a 0-6-9 start, the Dynamo defeated FC Dallas 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park on September 24 on Geoff Cameron's goal in the 87th minute. The win started a road-roll for the Dynamo, which won its final two games (at Portland and Philadelphia) of the regular season before winning two road playoff games (Philadelphia and Sporting KC).

Up Next: West Coast Swing

The Dynamo will continue to face Western Conference opposition to begin the 2012 season, with trips to the Bay Area and Seattle the next two weeks. Houston will play the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 17 at AT&T Park in San Francisco and the Seattle Sounders on Friday, March 23. After a two-week break, the Dynamo resume their seven-match road trek with a trip to Chicago on April 15.

Opening Day Notes

Houston is 1-2-3 all-time in MLS opening day games after falling to Philadelphia 1-0 on Opening Day 2011.

Year MLS Openers (1-2-3) MLS Home Openers (2-0-3)

2006 5/2/06 Houston 5-2 Colorado 5/2/06 Houston 5-2 Colorado

2007 4/8/07 Houston 0-0 LA Galaxy 4/8/07 Houston 0-0 LA Galaxy

2008 3/29/08 New England 3-0 Houston 4/6/08 Houston 3-3 FC Dallas

2009 3/21/09 Houston 1-1 Columbus 3/21/09 Houston 1-1 Columbus

2010 3/27/10 FC Dallas 1-1 Houston 4/1/10 Houston 2-1 Real Salt Lake

2011 3/19/11 Houston 0-1 Philadelphia 3/19/11 Houston 0-1 Philadelphia

Forward Brian Ching (hamstring) missed the 2011 Opening Day lineup for the first time in his Dynamo career. Ching started all five previous openers, scoring four goals against Colorado on 4/2/06, and also scoring against Columbus on 3/21/09, both at home. Ching scored the first Houston goal in three of the club's first five seasons.

Nearly six years after the club's first-ever match on April 2, 2006, only two players remain on the Dynamo roster: Brian Ching and Brad Davis. Defender Eddie Robinson retired in January and joined the front office as an assistant coach with the Youth Academy and a color analyst on TV broadcasts.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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