Don’t count Impact out in Dynamo game
Heading into Saturday’s game in Houston (8:30 p.m., TVA Sports), the Impact is nine points behind the Dynamo for the fifth and final playoff spot in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.
With only three regular-season games to play, it seems all but impossible for the Impact to make the playoffs in its inaugural MLS season. With that said, there is plenty to play for on Saturday.
First and foremost, the Impact is still mathematically alive in the race, albeit with only a millimetre of a chance. And if there is a team the Impact would love to catch in the race, it’s Houston.
Let me remind you of the preseason fiasco that is now known as “The Brian Ching mess.”
Despite stating ahead of the draft that he wanted no part of playing for Montreal, Ching was still selected first overall in the expansion draft by Impact coach Jesse Marsch and company.
To make a long story short, Ching reluctantly reported to training camp as the Impact tried to deal him back to Houston for more valuable assets. That plan failed miserably, Ching got his wish and returned to Houston full of glee, while the Impact essentially got nothing in return but a conditional future draft pick.
So the adventure started with Houston and now the Dynamo can rub salt in the wound by eliminating the Impact with only a draw on Saturday.
Ching has been coming off the bench of late for Houston, scoring three times and adding an assist in his new super-sub role. For some reason, though, I can see him asking coach Dominic Kinnear to start this one. Offensive keys to Impact victory: This is a game to use two strikers to start. The field in Houston is slightly narrow, so there are fewer spaces in midfield to be vulnerable should the attack break down. Play- ing a high second striker takes the attention away from Marco Di Vaio, which every striker can appreciate. MDV is excellent in one-on-one situations and will either get off a shot or play a dangerous pass. ...
Start Andrew Wenger. Forget bringing the rookie off the bench to play 20 minutes ... give him the chance to have a go from minute one. He’s shown enough to deserve it, plus his hunger is at an all-time high to show his true abilities. ...
Felipe and Patrice Bernier must get in the penalty box as often as possible to create numbers in attack. Both players should expect that should they not be influential in the final third, the team will suffer. Houston’s back line consists of strong physical lads, but they can be reckless in tackling. So take them on in the box as often as possible. Goals change games ... make it happen and not wait for it to happen. Defensive keys to Impact victory: The smaller field in Houston means more direct play. The back line will be under pressure all game having to deal with long balls over top. Offside traps will be dangerous, so the Impact’s back line should try to keep the Dynamo attackers in front of them, visible at all times. ...
The Dynamo is unbeaten at home because it is given the luxury of time and space on the ball. In midfield and with Collen Warner out due to a suspension, Bernier will have to do a job on the roaming Ricardo Clark. In addition, the Impact must deny Houston time on the ball in wide areas. The Houston players are masters of getting it wide and serving it into dangerous areas in the penalty box. ...
With Houston’s Brad Davis out (12 assists), the job becomes a bit easier for the Impact. Stop striker Will Bruin and you have a great chance to get a result. Bruin (11 goals) leads Davis by 26 shots, staggering when you consider Davis takes all free kicks. Houston is lethal on set pieces, as its big fellas outmuscle teams on offensive corners and set pieces served in from wide. The Impact has to man up and deny them headers on net.