Extreme weather remains an inherent factor for Major League Soccer clubs despite it being a “summer league”. Harsh northern winters provide one reason why the ruling body continues to avoid adopting the conventional FIFA calendar, but soaring temperatures across southern States often leads to insufferable conditions for players and fans alike.
Houston Dynamo are affected more than most when it comes to dealing with the elements. With temperatures constantly approaching the hundreds from June through September, when high humidity is also the norm, reaching optimal fitness in pre-season is essential ahead of those months when it is simply too hot to go overboard on the training field.
The reigning back-to-back MLS Champions do take advantage of their home climate to the detriment of many a visitor to Robertson Stadium. During their three-year tenure, Dynamo have lost only once in 27 home league matches during the summer months. But the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike presents an even greater challenge for the Men In Orange as they seek an unprecedented third successive crown.
Apart from anything else, the regular travel across the continent places huge demands on top MLS players. In light of the impending strike by Ike, Dynamo departed for last weekend’s visit to San Jose Earthquakes a day early. This in itself caused problems for goalkeeper Pat Onstad and playmaker Dwayne De Rosario. The duo represented Canada less than 24 hours earlier in their 2-1 loss to Mexico in the distant provincial town of Tuxtla Gutierrez.
No sooner had they made the long trek back to Bush International Airport than they were on the four-hour flight to Northern California. American internationals Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark featured in the USA’s 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in Chicago and met up with their teammates in San Jose.
After securing a hard-earned point at Buck Shaw Stadium, Dynamo remained stranded in the Bay Area as Houston’s airports stayed closed. Fortunately they were able to return on the Monday, but such disruption to the schedule obviously impacts upon training and preparation for the next match.
As it was, Dynamo’s two home games this week fell victim to the storm’s aftermath. Firstly, the midweek CONCACAF Champions’ League tie with Luis Angel Firpo of El Salvador was postponed indefinitely. Secondly, Saturday’s return fixture with San Jose was rescheduled for mid-October as much of Houston remains without power and traffic signals fail to operate. Concerns for the safety of the public triumphed easily.
With further disruption affecting plans, Dynamo squad members took it upon themselves to assist FEMA efforts to distribute supplies to those in need. Such acts help to foster the close bond between the players and the local community in an era where so many of their millionaire counterparts in other high-profile leagues around the world appear to have lost touch with the reality of everyday life.
The city will hope that Dynamo’s return to action in Toronto next weekend does not mirror that of the local baseball team. The Astros pulled themselves into contention for an unlikely play-off spot with 14 wins in 15 games prior to Hurricane Ike, only to slip out of the picture with five straight defeats after the interruption.
Dynamo cannot afford to let their form slide. The team’s momentum has continued to build in recent weeks and they retain a commanding six-point lead in the Western Conference despite their inactivity. With the CONCACAF Champions’ League group matches also being played before the end of October, Dynamo face 17 fixtures between now and the season’s end if they are to successfully defend their title in Los Angeles on November 23.
Head coach Dominic Kinnear and assistant John Spencer have built a formidable roster with arguably greater depth than any other MLS side. That depth will undergo a stern examination over the next two months.
The biggest news on the field this weekend came, as usual, from L.A. Galaxy as Bruce Arena’s side earned their first victory since June 14 with a 5-2 mauling of D.C. United. It was a win inspired by their true superstar, Landon Donovan, who brought his goals tally for the season to 19 in 20 games with three clinical finishes. Galaxy remain two points outside of a play-off spot with five games left. They face three difficult road trips to Chicago, Columbus, and Houston, but at least hope has been restored after last week’s debacle in Kansas City.
Week 26 Results
Columbus 3 New York 1 (Angel, Hejduk and Rogers hold their own Goal of the Season competition)
Kansas City 2 Toronto 0 (Wizards within a point of play-off positions after dropping Claudio Lopez)
Salt Lake 0 Chivas 1 (Defensive mix-up gifts the win to the Goats)
Colorado 1 New England 1 (Controversial final whistle denies Rapids a glorious last chance)
L.A. Galaxy 5 D.C. United 2
Chicago 1 Dallas 4 (League's best defense has a seriously bad day)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1) Columbus 47 points (played 25)
2) New England 42 (25)
3) Chicago 38 (25)
4) New York 35 (25)
5) *D.C. United 33 (25)
6) Kansas City 32 (25)
7) Toronto 27 (25)
Western Conference
1) Houston 39 (24)
2) Chivas 33 (25)
3) *Colorado 31 (25)
4) Salt Lake 31 (25)
5) Dallas 30 (25)
6) L.A. Galaxy 29 (25)
7) San Jose 29 (24)
*Lines show teams occupying play-off positions.
Houston Dynamo are affected more than most when it comes to dealing with the elements. With temperatures constantly approaching the hundreds from June through September, when high humidity is also the norm, reaching optimal fitness in pre-season is essential ahead of those months when it is simply too hot to go overboard on the training field.
The reigning back-to-back MLS Champions do take advantage of their home climate to the detriment of many a visitor to Robertson Stadium. During their three-year tenure, Dynamo have lost only once in 27 home league matches during the summer months. But the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike presents an even greater challenge for the Men In Orange as they seek an unprecedented third successive crown.
Apart from anything else, the regular travel across the continent places huge demands on top MLS players. In light of the impending strike by Ike, Dynamo departed for last weekend’s visit to San Jose Earthquakes a day early. This in itself caused problems for goalkeeper Pat Onstad and playmaker Dwayne De Rosario. The duo represented Canada less than 24 hours earlier in their 2-1 loss to Mexico in the distant provincial town of Tuxtla Gutierrez.
No sooner had they made the long trek back to Bush International Airport than they were on the four-hour flight to Northern California. American internationals Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark featured in the USA’s 3-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in Chicago and met up with their teammates in San Jose.
After securing a hard-earned point at Buck Shaw Stadium, Dynamo remained stranded in the Bay Area as Houston’s airports stayed closed. Fortunately they were able to return on the Monday, but such disruption to the schedule obviously impacts upon training and preparation for the next match.
As it was, Dynamo’s two home games this week fell victim to the storm’s aftermath. Firstly, the midweek CONCACAF Champions’ League tie with Luis Angel Firpo of El Salvador was postponed indefinitely. Secondly, Saturday’s return fixture with San Jose was rescheduled for mid-October as much of Houston remains without power and traffic signals fail to operate. Concerns for the safety of the public triumphed easily.
With further disruption affecting plans, Dynamo squad members took it upon themselves to assist FEMA efforts to distribute supplies to those in need. Such acts help to foster the close bond between the players and the local community in an era where so many of their millionaire counterparts in other high-profile leagues around the world appear to have lost touch with the reality of everyday life.
The city will hope that Dynamo’s return to action in Toronto next weekend does not mirror that of the local baseball team. The Astros pulled themselves into contention for an unlikely play-off spot with 14 wins in 15 games prior to Hurricane Ike, only to slip out of the picture with five straight defeats after the interruption.
Dynamo cannot afford to let their form slide. The team’s momentum has continued to build in recent weeks and they retain a commanding six-point lead in the Western Conference despite their inactivity. With the CONCACAF Champions’ League group matches also being played before the end of October, Dynamo face 17 fixtures between now and the season’s end if they are to successfully defend their title in Los Angeles on November 23.
Head coach Dominic Kinnear and assistant John Spencer have built a formidable roster with arguably greater depth than any other MLS side. That depth will undergo a stern examination over the next two months.
The biggest news on the field this weekend came, as usual, from L.A. Galaxy as Bruce Arena’s side earned their first victory since June 14 with a 5-2 mauling of D.C. United. It was a win inspired by their true superstar, Landon Donovan, who brought his goals tally for the season to 19 in 20 games with three clinical finishes. Galaxy remain two points outside of a play-off spot with five games left. They face three difficult road trips to Chicago, Columbus, and Houston, but at least hope has been restored after last week’s debacle in Kansas City.
Week 26 Results
Columbus 3 New York 1 (Angel, Hejduk and Rogers hold their own Goal of the Season competition)
Kansas City 2 Toronto 0 (Wizards within a point of play-off positions after dropping Claudio Lopez)
Salt Lake 0 Chivas 1 (Defensive mix-up gifts the win to the Goats)
Colorado 1 New England 1 (Controversial final whistle denies Rapids a glorious last chance)
L.A. Galaxy 5 D.C. United 2
Chicago 1 Dallas 4 (League's best defense has a seriously bad day)
Standings
Eastern Conference
1) Columbus 47 points (played 25)
2) New England 42 (25)
3) Chicago 38 (25)
4) New York 35 (25)
5) *D.C. United 33 (25)
6) Kansas City 32 (25)
7) Toronto 27 (25)
Western Conference
1) Houston 39 (24)
2) Chivas 33 (25)
3) *Colorado 31 (25)
4) Salt Lake 31 (25)
5) Dallas 30 (25)
6) L.A. Galaxy 29 (25)
7) San Jose 29 (24)
*Lines show teams occupying play-off positions.
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