MLS Thursday Night: Chicago Fire v Houston Dynamo

By: Bob | July 12th, 2007

If it seems like the Houston Dynamo play every week on Thursday night it is because they do. For the third time in four weeks we will watch the defending league champions in the made for television game of the week. The Dynamo enjoy having Eric Wynalda and crew around. They are undefeated in their three Thursday night appearances, winning the last two 4-0.

Games decided by four goals hardly make for compelling television. Given the way the Dynamo are playing of late and the way the Chicago Fire have played all season this game could quickly evolve into a 90 minute promotion for David Beckham’s arrival.

The Dynamo are the hottest team in MLS. They have seven wins and a tie in their last eight games. Their hot streak has vaulted them into first place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Chicago limps into the contest with the worst record in the Eastern Conference. They’ve won one league game since April 29. That’s like 7 million dog years ago.

Here are few things to keep an eye on while you grind your teeth and listen to the Beckham hype.

1. Oh So Rio – The Fire have a new coach and his name is Juan Carlos Osorio. The Colombian has spent some time as a coach with Manchester City, New York MetroStars and Millionarios. Before he was a coach he played for the New York Fever, New York Centaurs, the Brooklyn Italians and the Staten Island Vipers. Who knew New York had so many teams?

2. All-Stars – The MLS all stars will take on Celtic next Thursday night on ESPN2, which means that we’ll get a chance to see Dwayne De Rosario, Ricardo Clark and Brian Ching in action again. No Chicago players were invited to join in the reindeer games. Neither were you or me. By transitive property that means we could all play for the Chicago Fire

3. 515 – That is the consecutive number of minutes the Houston Dynamo have gone without allowing a goal. My hunch is this streak will be broken tonight. I also think that platform shoes with goldfish in the heel will make a comeback someday.

Enjoy the game and as always feel free to use this space to discuss all things MLS or why some people go out of their way to drink Tab (the fake sugary drink, not Ramos).