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Houston Dynamo and New York City FC Fight for Playoffs Saturday

By Chuck Wharton

EAST HARTFORD, CT - JULY 01: Giant US flag in the supporter's section during an international friendly between the United States and Ghana on July 1, 2017, at Pratt
EAST HARTFORD, CT - JULY 01: Giant US flag in the supporter's section during an international friendly between the United States and Ghana on July 1, 2017, at Pratt /
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Houston Dynamo will start to work their way back into the MLS playoffs against New York City FC. The teams meet Saturday afternoon at a neutral Connecticut field.

New York City FC vexes the Houston Dynamo whenever they play. They got points the first two times. In this third meeting, they’ll try to keep the visitors unhappy.

The Houston Dynamo arrive wounded to this party. They lost three of the last four games. Making things tougher, NYCFC wants to clinch a playoff spot with points in this game.

To turn off the late-season swoon, expect the Dynamo to oppose NYCFC with their same defensive-scheme 4-3-3 formation. They’ll have to start the shot-blockade in the midfield. The playoffs lie just beyond this Connecticut field’s endline.

NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Soccer player Andrea Pirlo attends the NYCFC pop-up experience store VIP launch party on August 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Soccer player Andrea Pirlo attends the NYCFC pop-up experience store VIP launch party on August 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images) /

New York City FC

Current Record (W-L-D): 15-8-6, 2nd in the Eastern Conference.

Last Time Out: 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids.

Player to Watch For: F David Villa. He’s back! The team’s leading goal-scorer with 19 this season plans to add more Saturday. He goes through defense like a knife through hot butter.

Why They Win: They have stayed close to first place even without Villa. With him they return to unstoppable status.

Why They Won’t: They fail to do their homework before the match. Villa and others haven’t returned to full health. And by a scheduling problem, their home game has become a road game.

Predicted Starting XI:

VANCOUVER, BC – AUGUST 19: Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomas Martinez (25) is stopped on a free kick during their match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on August 19, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 2-1. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – AUGUST 19: Houston Dynamo midfielder Tomas Martinez (25) is stopped on a free kick during their match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on August 19, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 2-1. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Houston Dynamo

Current Record (W-L-D): 10-10-8, 7th in the Western Conference.

Last Time out: 1-0 loss at San Jose Earthquakes.

Player to Watch For: F Erick Cubo Torres remains the team’s leading scorer. If three points hinges on a penalty kick, he’ll make it.

Why They Win: The chances look slim, but the team could trip up a strong NYCFC side by gripping opportunities. Those include meeting at a neutral site and overcoming their weak road form.

Why They Won’t: The Dynamo have gone crazy bad on the road most of this season. If that form continues, no playoffs for Houston.

Predicted Starting XI:

Score Prediction:

Next: MLS Playoff Impact

How to Watch/Listen:

Where: Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford, Connecticut.

When: 3 p.m. ET, Saturday, September 23.

Channels: UniMas, Facebook Live; WQBU/WFAN online in New York, 650 AM/1010 AM in Houston.

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