Revs vs. Houston Dynamo :Match Preview

The Revs are coming off of a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium last Saturday night. They will be home Wednesday night to face the Houston Dynamo at Gillette Stadium. The match takes place at 8:00 PM EST. The game will be shown on Comcast SportsNet New England, and also can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub.

In their last match, the Revs (4-11-9, 21 points) actually led at the half as Benny Feilhaber scored in the 45th minute. However, they fell apart in the second half with the Crew scoring 3 goals. The Revs lost to the Crew 3-1, and desperately need all 3 points when they play the Dynamo Wednesday night.

In their last match, the Houston Dynamo (7-7-10, 31 points), played the Portland Timbers at home Sunday night. They would receive 2 first half goals to propel them to a 2-1 victory. Houston, currently sits third in the Eastern Conference, and are 3 points behind second place Philadelphia. I am sure the Dynamo are confident they can leave Gillette stadium with a victory.

The clubs met in Houston on April 17th in a very entertaining match. The Revs hung in the game all the way until the very late stages of the match. Unfortunately, in the 86th minute, Hunter Freeman would score to give the Dynamo the 1-0 victory.

The Revs do have injury concerns for this match. According to Revolutionsoccer.net, here are the injuries for the club.

Out: Kheli Dube (whiplash) , Franco Coria (MCL sprain), Rajko Lekic (toe fracture),  Sainey Nyassi (MCL sprain)

Key players to watch for the Revs are Matt Reis and A.J. Soares. I think defending will be a very big part of this match for the Revs. Reis is really one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. His play at times has kept the Revs in matches. Soares has really been solid in central defense. He could be under some serious pressure from the forwards of the Dynamo. For the Revs to win, they will have to be spectacular in defending.

Key players to watch for the Dynamo are midfielder Brad Davis and forward Brian Ching. Davis has the ability to really put the Revs under pressure with his crosses into the box. He currently has 3 goals and 11 assists. He will need to seriously be contained by the Revs defenders. Ching can be a very dangerous forward, and so far he has scored 4 goals. Soares could have a long day if he cannot keep Ching under control.

The Revs have their backs to the wall if they even have a remote chance of making the playoffs. They really need to win this match.

Houston is a dynamic club, and they are looking to move up in the conference. A victory on the road could be huge for the Dynamo in the stretch run of the season.

Everything seems to be pointing towards another loss for the Revs. However, the Dynamo just played Sunday night, and they could have tired legs in Foxboro. Also, the Revs are a very desperate team, and need a victory. With those two factors in play, I am going with the upset. I am predicting a 1-0 victory for the Revs against the Houston Dynamo.