The Houston first 10 Houston Dynamo games run five home and five away, that will challenge the team’s poor road record from last season.
Last year the Houston Dynamo had seven of those first 10 at home. The team remained unbeatable at BBVA Compass Stadium most of the season. However, on the road, they won only once during the regular season – which nearly cost the side a spot in the playoffs.
To start out strong in 2018 the team must have a working road plan. That scheme must match the success and ferocity of their home attacking style the fans love.
The toughest test starts right after the Dynamo prove themselves in that first stretch. From late May until just before the June 14 World Cup opener, the Dynamo have a very daunting schedule.
Tough run-up to the World Cup
The Dynamo host New York City FC on May 25, then head to Real Salt May 30. They quickly travel up to the Montreal Impact on June 2 before hosting the Colorado Rapids on June 9.
That’s it until June 23 when the team heads to Sporting Kansas City.
The team should solidify successful form by this time. The challenge remains to keep that form through international interruptions. Head Coach Wilmar Cabrera compared that challenge to last year’s international and hurricane interruptions.
"Cabrera: “Every time we had to stop nine or 10 days, we had some difficult moments to come back.”"
Let’s agree that the wild attacking form that ensured home success and fan adoration last season continues. So from March 3 through June 23, the Dynamo can keep up the attack during seven home games.
During that same stretch, the Houston Dynamo face nine teams on the road. They get increasingly tough as the World Cup approaches.
Head Coach Wilmar Cabrera will have to emphasize the more effective road form that the players reached in their post-season play. Finding that success that allowed them to upset the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs and earn a victory in Portland.
Next: Projected starters for the U.S. Men's National Team
The fans hope that the Dynamo hold onto their thrilling attacking force, at least in the friendly confines of home’s BBVA Compass Stadium. But it’s fair to be cautious about the plan on the road until Houston can prove they have corrected last season’s mistakes.
The year starts with a great road opportunity. Their first road test is on March 17 against D.C. United (location TBD before Audi Field opens). It was the Dynamo’s only regular-season season road win last year.