MLS Pick: Dynamo v Red Bulls

By: Mike Richardson 

Get ready to rumble on Friday night when the New York Red Bulls host the Houston Dynamo in a real MLS grudge match at Red Bull Arena with REVENGE writ large on New York hearts and as soccer picks go, this is going to be a tough one to call.

In form Houston take a trip to out of sorts New York on Friday night, knowing that should their match with the Red Bulls conform to current form they will have a five point lead over their rivals. The Bulls, who are nursing a three game losing streak, will know that there is no better way to steady the good ship Red Bull than with a home victory in a six-point game and a return to the top of the table. 

New York no show!

It’s not just form that favours the Dynamo in this soccer pick, it’s also their last head to head encounter, and a recent one at that. Last Friday saw New York go down 2-0 to Houston at the BBVA Compass Stadium in what should have been a right tasty battle royale between the two Eastern Conference leaders. The game kicked off with the (11-6-5) Red Bulls -leading over the second-place (10-5-7) Houston Dynamo. But after the game it was the Bulls who were corralled and left looking up at the opposition. New York now have 38 points, two points behind the Dynamo, who moved into first with the win.

It was one way traffic from very early on as the Dynamo took the lead in just the second minute when Jermaine Taylor kneed in from close range after a bit of goal mouth pinball. The Bulls seemed to be in no mood for a stampede and the 28th minute saw the hosts double

their lead, thanks to the head of Calen Carr.

Allez!

The Red Bulls almost got back in the game just before the hour when Thierry Henry teed up fellow French fella Sebastien Le Toux at the top of the box, but Le Toux sent the ball off (like New York native Olympic pole vaulter Jenn Suhr) way over the bar with his left foot. With time ticking on New York newboy Tim Cahill, in his MLS regular season debut, got his head to a Henry corner kick but just nodded it past the right post. Sydney born Cahill may well have been distracted by the Australian Olympic team’s poor showing in the London Olympics (they have just five golds, while Team GB have 22 at present).

Before the game, Red Bulls’ Head Coach Hans Backe said, “They’ve been flying. We know that you need to show up from the first second, play hard, and then you have a chance.”

And…

After the game, New York midfielder Teemu Tainio said, “It was a terrible game, for me and for the whole team.”

A tight three way competition in the Eastern Conference.

Ahead of this Friday’s showdown Sporting KC could have found themselves in the Gold Medal spot atop the MLS East standings if they took all three points off New England; and New York and Houston played out a draw. As it turned out Sporting KC’s 1-0 victory was enough to leapfrog the Bulls, into the Silver Medal, spot tied with the Dynamo on 40 points. Also both fourth place DC and fifth place Chicago are within (three point) touching distance of New York. There’s a real danger that New York could even slip off the MLS podium!

Revenge may be wicked, but it’s natural

Friday’s rematch home at Red Bull Arena gives the Red Bulls an immediate opportunity to get back on track and exact some revenge. It won’t be easy and all the money in my pocket is doing the “smart bet shuffle”, heading down on the in-form side when looking at the live odds. Not only are Houston unbeaten at home (since opening their bright and shiny new arena) they have also won five straight games, they’ve scored 13 goals in their last five, and conceded just one! New York have come a poor second in each of their last three games, conceding seven goals and only scoring two (one against Spurs and one against Montreal). Based on those stats, you might as well bet on Tajikistan tidying up at London 2012 as back a New York win. Backing the game ending drawn is a safe Plan-B bet as three of the last five meeting between these sides have ended honours even.

To exact revenge for yourself, is not only a right, it's an absolute duty

The only thing in New York’s favour is that they can’t continue to squander points and lose games like this; and having a second pop at the Dynamo so soon after their defeat at Houston, might just get them going. In the words of their head coach, “Perhaps when you lose like this, it’s a good idea to get that same team at home,” Backe said. It’s also their last chance to take points off Houston as Friday is the final regular season meeting between the two sides. NY are still, just two points behind the Dynamo a win will restore them to the top of the table, andsilence a lot of their critics (from both stands).

Prediction: I’m backing a tight Houston win.