Dynamo face Chivas with Reduced Roster

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 15, 2008) When the Houston Dynamo faces off against Chivas de Guadalajara tonight in the second game for both teams in SuperLiga 2008, they will have to do it without the services of two of their most prolific players.

Dwayne De Rosario will miss the game do to being red-carded on Sunday’s game against Atlante, while Brian Ching will miss his second SuperLiga game with an abdominal injury.

The Dynamo will also be without defenders Richard Mulrooney and Eddie Robinson. Mulrooney is recovering from a knee injury, while Robinson recuperates his injured ankle.

Chivas will be trying to take advantage of Houston’s diminished roster and guarantee their place in the semi-finals.

Both Chivas and the Dynamo are 1-0, with three points and both teams would like nothing better than to go into their final Group A match with two victories.

Chivas comes into the game in pre-season mode while the Dynamo has been struggling to find consistency in their play this season. They are currently 4-4-8 and in fifth place in the Western Division of MLS.

They showed what they are capable of during Sunday evening’s thumping of Atlante. They will need to keep that strength going against Chivas.

Chivas has a multimillion-dollar roster and national team-caliber talent. In terms of American’s sports teams, Chivas is the New York Yankees of Mexico. Their players serve as the base for the Mexican national team. In reality, they are a club that is several levels above Atlante.

That fact is not lost on the Dynamo. They know they will have a tough time against Chivas.

"It's going to be a good test for us,” Stuart Holden (Dynamo midfielder) said. "They are a strong team, and they proved it in their victory over D.C. United.

With a 9:00pm start, everyone in Robertson Stadium will know if the Dynamo can handle Chivas. Sometime around 10:30pm and everyone will know.