Houston Dynamo vs New York Red Bulls - Staff picks
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo welcome Sporting Kansas City to Shell Energy Stadium tonight to kick off the Major League Soccer season. We asked our staff to weigh in on how they see the Dynamo and SKC playing out tonight.
Cristian - 2-2 draw
(Record: 1-1)
The Dynamo are riding high from a CCC win. So far I’ve liked what I’ve seen from Aliyu and Segal and it’s only a matter of time for the goal to open up to them and hopefully it’s this game. On the other side, Red Bulls created many chances away against Nashville, 18 shots, and I expect them to bring that same intensity to Houston.
Rudy - 2-1 Dynamo win
(Record: 1-1)
The Dynamo are coming off an important win at home during the Champions Cup. Ben Olsen has set his team up well so far early in the season while dealing with plenty of players not being available. Now he will face a very familiar foe and I think that he will get the first win of the season under his belt. However, no clean sheet for Steve Clark because Emil Forsberg will be in the mix for a Red Bull goal, some way somehow.
Manny - 2-1 Dynamo win
(Record: 0-2)
The Dynamo seem to have found their form from last year despite the injuries they have. The main missing piece is where the goals are coming from. With Aliyu starting it could provide an answer for that. New York will be a good test with key players coming back. Emil Forsberg is a player to lock down if the Dynamo want a chance to take all three points.
Joey - 1-1 draw
(Record: 1-1)
The Red Bulls are one of those teams that will make you run and will take advantage of a team on short rest. The Dynamo have been lackluster offensively and I expect that to continue this week. While the defense should have a good game, the Red Bulls have a real difference maker with Forsberg now to unlock a strong Dynamo defense. Expect this game to be ugly and physical once again in a low scoring draw.
Billy - 1-1 draw
(Record: 2-0)
The Dynamo have left some chances on the table and are struggling to ask the right questions of the opposing defense. Searching for some sort of rhythm, the Dynamo will be looking to improve on their final touch. New York will be a difficult team to keep off the score sheet for a full 90 with the Dynamo still figuring out what works best for them, so a tie seems like a fair bet.
Dustyn - 1-1 draw
(Record: 2-0)
At some point you would think the injuries and schedule congestion would catch up to this team, but they don’t know a way other than to fight. I think tonight is more of a fight against the tough Red Bull press. I see New York scoring early and the Dynamo finding a late equalizer.
