Dynamo try to solve road woes in visit to DC (Mar 16, 2018)
The Houston Dynamo hope to have better results this season during the road portion of their schedule, which begins against a D.C. United team that won't exactly be playing in familiar surroundings.
The two sides will meet Saturday at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Washington's outer suburbs at a stadium that seats just over 5,000. It's one of only two home games that United will play before opening its new 20,000-seat Audi Field in downtown Washington in July.
For Houston last season, it didn't matter where the away games were. The Dynamo won only once in 17 regular-season road matches, though they did achieve an impressive playoff win at Portland en route to the Eastern Conference final.
Dynamo midfielder Arturo Alvarez says the challenge of improving those results this season is all about approach.
"I think it's about mentality. We just need to start the game the same way that you would start a game at home," Alvarez said. "I think if we start on the right foot this year, and in our first test against D.C. United this weekend, getting a good result would be a good way to get a start for away games."
Historically, Houston has fared better in D.C. than in other away trips, playing to a 5-5-2 record in 12 all-time meetings. All of those matchups came at charming but aging RFK Stadium, which D.C. departed last year after 22 seasons.
With a loss and a draw in their first two MLS matches on the road, and 12 of their first 14 games away from home overall, Saturday afternoon's unusual home game might feel like a must-win for D.C.
But after twice starting a lineup that featured seven new players this season (and nine that began 2017 elsewhere), coach Ben Olsen believes even an atypical home atmosphere will benefit his team.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun for the fans and will give us a little bit of a home-field advantage," Olsen said. "This is a process, and we're finding out about ourselves each game.
"We're finding out about ourselves as a group and how individuals fit into this team. We have a long way to go until we're a final product, but each game is exciting."
Defender Robert Mora and forward Dane Kelly could make their D.C. debuts after each signed contracts last week, though Kelly is likely a third choice behind Darren Mattocks and Patrick Mullins. Midfielder Russell Canouse (knee) and defender Taylor Kemp (groin) remain out.
Houston will be without midfielder Juan David Cabezas (left quad), but defender Philippe Senderos could return from a hamstring ailment.
