DC United had better brace for the Dynamo that is coming to RFK this weekend. Houston lost their last game and will be missing their league MVP playmaker, while United have staggered to an undefeated record in their first two matches. However, DC had better not show any overconfidence or this Dynamo could well come in here and crush them.

A bit like the teams of the old DC dynasty, San Jose/Houston have steadily created a team with a dynamic attack and interchangeable parts that is tough to beat on any given day.

Not only does Houston have two of the last five MLS Cups, they also had the most incredible regular season ever last season with only five losses. But their last loss in the regular season before their amazing undefeated run was right here in RFK, and they will be looking to avenge that 3-0 embarrassment as well as make up for their vicious loss to Kansas City last weekend.

Against KC, Houston took an early lead, and perhaps can be excused for taking their foot off the pedal a bit since they hadn't lost a game at home all last year. Plus, the Dynamo started this year with a stunning 5-2 win over Colorado.

However, that let up cost them dearly as KC struck right back and in the dogfight to re-establish control, their playmaker, reigning league MVP, Dwayne DeRosario was ejected for a flagrant elbow. Adding insult to injury was the last second winner by KC's Jose Burciaga, so it'll no doubt be an angry team in the visitor's locker-room this week.

The loss of DeRo might not even hurt them that badly, as the Dynamo have the deepest roster at every position in the league. They lose their playmaker and former United player, Ronald Cerritos, can step right in, or they could bring in Brad Davis for bit of a different look, or they could tweak their formation a bit and go with basically three forwards, or they can solve their tactical problems in a number of ways because they have quite a few interchangeable parts.

Against that, DC will likely go with their shiny new 4-3-3 formation that has been paying quite a few dividends of late. But, unless the Dynamo have a bad game, DC may get themselves in some trouble with this formation. The way to beat a 4-3-3 is to attack the wings, and Houston can do that with ease.

So, DC will have to counter with Brian Carroll and Ben Olsen sliding to the outsides to help, but that just opens the middle of the field allowing Cerritos or Davis to exploit the middle, forcing Christian Gomez, Jaime Moreno and Alecko Eskandarian to do way more defending than they like to do.

However, DC's biggest strength in defense is the central pairing of Bobby Boswell and Facundo Erpen. Even just getting back from a wicked illness, Boswell easily man-handled both Juan Francisco Palencia and Ante Razov, while Erpen easily covered for any mistakes. Going against Brian Ching and Alejandro Moreno, Boswell should have the beef to stay with Ching, while Erpen should match the guile of that dratted little Moreno. If DC can somehow keep them from getting any support from the outsides, or from getting too stretched inside, the defense could well hold them to a goal.

Houston's Eddie Robinson should be back for this match, but even if not, Adrian Serioux and Ryan Cochrane have been stellar in central defense. Along with Kelly Gray and Kevin Goldthwaite, their back four is as good or better than anyone in the league. With that in mind, it seems crucial that Gomez helps the attack, but Ricardo Clark has done well against him in the past, and if Gomez has to bolt around the field all day helping to hawk the ball, then his attacking support might not be enough.

I think the best DC can hope for, other than Houston just coming in here and playing their worst game since last August, is to stalemate the game into the second half and hope that Freddy Adu can come in and break open the game before they take advantage of our tired defenders.

DC can't even count on fouls and dead ball restarts, as Houston is as big as they come, and Pat Onstad is light years better than United's young Troy Perkins. Speaking of that, Perkins could take a lesson from the former keeper of the year on the other side of the ball. Onstad swatted in a goal against himself in his first game in the league, but rebounded from that atrocious mistake to garner a few MLS Cups to go along with his other awards.

So, the bottom line is that DC might pull off a tie or a shocking win, but a Houston victory seems a bit more likely. Besides, I can't pick DC to win all of them can I?

As for the rest of the league, I was close but no cigar last week. I called the DC win, the New England/New York tie and the FC Dallas win over Real Salt Lake, but Houston and the LA Galaxy both let me down, and who could have predicted the Colorado explosion of goals?

Chicago should beat Columbus easily, even though it is the Crew's home opener because Chicago has worked to hard on the road to deserve anything less than 3 points, and let's face it, the Crew stink and they've never done that well at home anyway.

New England and Kansas City will rival United/Houston as game of the week. Both teams are playing very well and this game is for early bragging rights in the division. Too close to call, I think a tie is in the cards.

FC Dallas at Colorado could be the snooze of the week. No way Colorado explodes against Dallas. Implode maybe, but explode no chance. But Dallas struggled against RSL last week and still haven't found their form yet which is a bit scary. Dallas by a goal.

Red Bulls at Real Salt Lake would normally be my snooze of the week, but I think the Bulls will light up RSL. They win matchups all over the field and Eddie Pope doesn't have enough fingers to fill all of the holes. NY by two, RSL home opener or not.

LA Galaxy 'at' Chivas USA would be my game of the week, but let's face it, they're in the west and the rivalry is contrived. Derby my sweet aunt. Anyway, should be a close game and the LA Galaxy are not impressive, so I'm going for an upset of sorts by calling for a Chivas win by one.

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