Preview of Game 12 - DC United vs Houston Dynamo

DC United welcome the two time defending MLS Cup winners to Washington, DC. Currently (4 PM) it is raining pretty hard in DC so conditions could be sloppy at RFK. United are coming off of a 2-2 tie at New England which felt like a loss. However, the offensive production was a big step up. Emilio, Gallardo, Fred, Simms and Moreno all appeared to be on the same page in the first half and only several spectacular saves kept United from posting four or five goals. United are 3-0-2 (W-D-L) at home this season with a +4 goal differential. United, 3-1-7, is currently in last place in the Eastern Conference, trailing New England, 6-2-3, by ten points. New England also leads the Supporter's Shield race.

Houston Dynamo are back on track after a very slow start to the season and return to RFK Stadium where they clinched the MLS Cup last fall. Dynamo won three games in May with two ties and only one loss. Houston have not played well on the road with a 1-3-3 record and a -4 goal differential. Houston, 3-5-3, are tied second place in the Western Conference, one point behind Colorado who have a game in hand. Houston trails New England by six points in the Supporter's Shield race.

United remains relatively healthy after eleven league games and four tournament games. Olsen remains unavailable but every other player should be ready to go. I expect the starting eleven to be Emilio, Moreno, Fred, Gallardo, Simms, Quaranta, Namoff, Peralta, McTavish, Martinez, and Wells. Burch, Dyachenko, and maybe Stratford come off the bench.

Prediction:

DC United 1:0 Houston Dynamo