Game Preview

Dynamo-Real Salt Lake Preview

By DAN PIERINGER

The Houston Dynamo didn't panic during their six-game winless start. It's safe to say the club has found its recent struggles more troubling.

The Dynamo go for their first win in four matches on Thursday night when they visit Real Salt Lake in a matchup of teams tied for second place in the Western Conference.

Houston (4-4-7) went more than a month before getting its first league win this season, snapping an 0-2-4 drought with a 2-1 victory over Colorado on May 10. That victory started a 4-1-1 stretch that pulled the Dynamo back into contention.

Houston, however, has been frustrated in its last three matches. It fell 2-0 to New England at home on June 12, was outshot 15-9 in a scoreless draw against Colorado on June 21, and let a lead slip away in a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas last Thursday.

The two-time defending MLS Cup champions and Real Salt Lake (5-6-4) are two points behind Los Angeles in the West, but Houston defender Craig Waibel expects more from his club.

"I am hesitant to go too far into it, but I will say, without insulting any other team, or having it sound like I am taking shots at other teams, that I think this team is disappointed being in second place," he told the Dynamo's official Web site. "We are not content with where we are at. Now, that is not to take a shot at anyone else, but I think that gives you an idea of how we picture ourselves."

The Dynamo could struggle to meet their own lofty expectations heading into a tough stretch. They don't play another league match at home until Aug. 2, and will have to contend with the absence of several starters during the stretch run because of World Cup qualifying competition and national team commitments.

"And it is just going to get crazier," Waibel said. "Just wait four more weeks. It is not even close right now to what it is going to be."

Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear remains confident his club will find a way to finish strong.

"Every day, I think you can improve in every area," he said. "And the one thing that I think we need to work on most is just being consistent day in and day out. I think if we can do that, we are going to be in better shape."

Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis wasn't as optimistic after his team committed a costly error on Saturday. Defender Tony Beltran accidentally headed a free kick into his own net in the 89th minute, sending Salt Lake to a 1-0 loss to Kansas City, which hadn't won a league match since April 20.

"I thought we did all the necessary stuff that you need to to pick up a result on the road," Kreis said. "I thought we were together, we worked very hard and we created enough chances to score that goal that would have taken us over the top. In the end, the quality, the touch wasn't there and we paid for it."

Kreis hopes his team can rebound at Rice-Eccles Stadium, where it has gone 4-0-4 to become one of two MLS clubs without a home loss this season. Salt Lake hasn't lost at home since a 1-0 defeat to Houston on Oct. 15.

Updated July 2, 2008