Upcoming trip chance for road less unraveled

By now, the Dynamo have heard all the criticism and questions they can handle about their struggling road form. Their verbal responses are as practiced as passing in tight spaces and one-on-one defending.

This week, they have a chance with their actions to silence their critics.

Beginning with Wednesday’s match against the Philadelphia Union, the Dynamo will play three consecutive games and five of their next six away from home.

For now, they confidently sit on top of the Western Conference standings thanks to a sterling home record. If they do not start earning points on the road — where they are 0-3 this year — in one month, they could be closer to the red line.

First-year coach Wilmer Cabrera said after 10 games of learning about one another, they are better prepared for the challenge.

“Our mentality and our team will be tested,” Cabrera said. “We need to be prepared. We are going to know Wednesday how is our level and how improved the team is in comparison to the last three games we have played away.”

There were good moments in their last road game against Eastern Conference-leading Toronto FC. A few good moments, however, are not going to be enough in the long run if the Dynamo want to finish in position to host a playoff game.

The Dynamo may make the playoffs with only a handful of positive road results, but that likely would lead only to a fifth- or sixthplace

finish if not a spot below the red line.

The Dynamo finished on the wrong side of the red line each of the last three years. Poor road records are a major reason why. The league’s average number of points earned on the road during that time is 47.7. The Dynamo have earned 34.

Defender DaMarcus Beasley, now in his fourth year with the Dynamo, said this time the team is confident, which is half the battle.

“It has been no secret for us — not just this year, but in the past — we haven’t played well away from home,” Beasley said. “We have to get that monkey off our back, and hopefully Wednesday we can turn the chapter on that.”

Defender A.J. DeLaGarza pointed to the improvement the team showed in the second half against Toronto. The Dynamo had more possessions and outshot the Reds, who are in the middle of a six-game winning streak.

While the Dynamo may not have any road points yet, the players believe it is not yet time to panic.

“The wins and points will come on the road,” DeLaGarza said. “We’re still a new team. We’ve played three road games this year. It’s not the end of the world yet. … We know we can play better on the road. We just have to do it.”