In each of the last two years, the Houston Dynamo have made their run to the MLS Cup championship after finishing second place in the Western Conference.
So Dynamo players did not panic when they started the season with more ties than wins, and the team has started to come on as of late. Heading into Saturday's game against first-place Real Salt Lake, the Dynamo trail the surprise leaders by just one point in the standings and have a game in hand.
A win, therefore, would vault the Dynamo into first place for the first time all year and improve their chances of earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
"Even though Salt Lake is in front, we are only one point behind them," Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario said. "It's fitting that we are playing them this week with a chance to get back in first place."
The teams played to a 0-0 tie in Salt Lake City on July 3, one of a remarkable seven ties for the Dynamo in nine games against Western Conference opponents. De Rosario said other teams have raised their level of play to match the defending champions, but the Dynamo are starting to get back into rhythm.
"Starting every season, everyone wants to beat the Dynamo," De Rosario said. "When they play us, everyone is coming up to play their best game, and that's something that we have to face, not only during the start of the season, but all seasons. It's hard for us to play every game like a championship match."
After keeping busy with the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and SuperLiga, the Dynamo will go almost six weeks without a non-league game, and they hope to focus on regaining the top spot in the standings.
"With all of those put aside, you can concentrate on the league for a little bit," said De Rosario, who is one of several Dynamo players likely to miss the August 20 match due to World Cup qualifying. "But just around the corner, we have the CONCACAF Champions League and a World Cup qualifier, so it's important that every guy stays healthy and that every guy is ready."
With Richard Mulrooney and Eddie Robinson working back toward full health and Olympians Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni set to return at the conclusion of the Olympics, the Dynamo hope to be at full strength heading into the stretch run. Being in first place would not hurt either, and Saturday provides a perfect chance to move to the top.
