Dynamo-Galaxy Preview
New Houston Dynamo coach Owen Coyle has faced some major challenges in his career.
He's under no illusion how difficult it will be against the reigning MLS Cup champions, particularly since he has previously been victimized by reigning league MVP Robbie Keane.
Keane and the Los Angeles Galaxy are unbeaten in their last 20 home games against league opponents heading into Saturday night's matchup between new conference rivals.
Coyle coached previously in the English Premier League against powerhouses like Manchester United and Chelsea and now gets his first taste of life on the road in MLS. It won't be easy since Los Angeles (1-1-0) is enjoying a 16-0-4 home streak against MLS opponents with a 54-14 cushion in goals.
"I've been there before in other leagues, you have the elite teams, and L.A., there's no doubt they're one of the elite teams within the league," Coyle told the Dynamo's official website. "But that's not to say we can't go there and win and be competitive and that's what we look to do."
Coyle's biggest focus will probably be containing Keane, something that didn't happen Sept. 26, 2009. The coach was in charge of English club Burnley at that time, and Keane scored a career-high four goals in Tottenham Hotspur's 5-0 rout.
The Galaxy defeated the Dynamo at home in MLS Cups in 2011 and 2012, though they have dropped the last four regular-season meetings. Houston (1-0-1) won 1-0 at home in the last matchup May 17, 2014.
Now these clubs will meet three times in the regular season, with Houston having moved into the Western Conference.
"We've had some very good games against them; obviously you look at our past with losing a couple of MLS Cup games," Dynamo captain Brad Davis said. "We've had some good battles so I think there's respect on both sides there."
Coyle has reiterated his support for goalkeeper Tyler Deric, who will face the Galaxy for the first time. Deric's farcical own goal was the difference last Friday in a 1-0 home defeat to Orlando City.
"I feel like I learned from it, but whenever you have a mistake like that or you don't perform like you want you always want to get back on the field as quick as possible," Deric said.
He'll be up against a Galaxy team tied with four clubs for third in the league with 13.0 shots per match. Los Angeles posted a dramatic 2-all tie at Portland last Sunday, getting an equalizer from Alan Gordon in stoppage time after falling behind in the 90th minute.
"To come back and get a point, steal a point, is huge for us, for our momentum, going back to L.A," Gordon said.
The Galaxy debuted Swedish midfielder Mika Vayrynen, who played 28 minutes off the bench.
Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo is in position to make his season debut after missing the first two games with migraines. Brian Rowe filled in for him.
"I think that it was good that Brian got two games in the early on in the season, but Jaime is certainly going to get back in there," coach Bruce Arena told the club's official website.