First place in the Eastern Conference is on the line when the Dynamo and Red Bulls take the field Friday night at BBVA Compass Stadium. In the midst of a four-game winning streak, the Dynamo have jumped from fifth place to second place and sit only a point behind the conference-leading Red Bulls. The Dynamo have not defeated the Red Bulls since 2008. Friday night’s match is the first in a rare mid-season home-and-home series, as the Dynamo will head to Red Bull Arena next Friday to complete the three-game series.
What: Houston Dynamo vs. NY Red Bulls
When: 7 pm CT Friday
How: NBC Sports
It will be the first regular season MLS match for Tim Cahill, recently signed from Everton. Cahill’s signing makes N.Y. MLS Cup favorite according to some of the experts.
Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis was selected to the MLS Team of the week for his performance during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Toronto FC that stretched Houston’s win streak to four games.
Davis’ follow-up to last season’s career year is on pace to be just as good as, if not better than, the original. Davis’ memorable 2011 campaign saw him lead MLS in assists with 16, finish runner-up in the MVP race to former teammate Dwayne De Rosario and earn an ESPY nomination for Best MLS Player. He had career highs in assists, games played and minutes as he led the Dynamo deep into the playoffs before suffering a quad injury in the Eastern Conference final. As noted at SoccerSTL.net, he’s also chasing the MLS Assist record held by Steve Ralston. He notched his 10th assist of the year to tie him for the league lead and give him his fourth straight season with double digit assists. Will Bruin (DeSmet/Indiana), who leads the team with 10 goals this season, is a regular beneficiary.
There are two additional national broadcast games on Sunday. Dallas vs Portland kicks off at 6 pm CT on NBC Sports and that is immediately followed by the LA Galaxy vs Seattle at 8 pm CT on ESPN2. Seattle travels to KC for the US Open Cup Final on Wednesday.
