The best news ever for fans of Major League Soccer came earlier this week when the league and the Player's Union agreed to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement just a day and change before the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Chicago Fire to kick off the 2015 Season. With labor peace assured for the next five years, all eyes can turn towards the field, and for the Dynamo, that comes at the (unusually) chilly confines of BBVA Compass Stadium.
For new head coach Owen Coyle, he couldn't have asked for a sterner test to start his career in orange. Throughout the last nine years, the Crew have proved to be a tough nut to crack, with only three victories in ten chances at home. Fortunately for the Dynamo, they've only lost to the Ohio-side once (back in 2011), keeping a doal differential of +3. This will be a tougher test than last, with the Crew adding Dynamo nemesis Kei Kamara to the attack.
The former Dynamo attacker has been dangerous when facing his former club, especially during his stint with Sporting KC. Shutting down the Sierra Leone striker will be key, but more importantly will be for Coyle to assign a shadow to Argentine playmaker Federico Higuain. The Crew have enjoyed the most success when Higuain is pulling the strings from midfiel, especially with a speedy striker to pair with up top (say, like Kamara?). That responsibility with fall to the midfield pairing of Ricardo Clark and Honduran International Luis Garrido. They'll have to keep him marked tightly all game, trading off responsibilities as they press forward. Higuain only needs a few feet to cause trouble, making this matchup the most important on the night.
A problem for the Dynamo comes in the form of a few lingering injuries from pre-season. As was reported on Generation Orange, Brad Davis, Giles Barnes and Raul Rodriguez are still recovering from small injuries sustained during the Carolina Challenge Cup last week. They reported that Barnes believes he'll be ready this weekend, while the status of the other two is up in the air. If none of these players are ready to start, it'll be the first test of the rebuilt depth of the Dynamo. This could be the lineup with those injuries:
This would feature the ever-familiar empty bucket in midfield, relying on the flanks to provide the needed service to the strikers. Also in this scenario, Hoffman will be key in creating space for Bruin to exploit. If the former LA Galaxy II player can't find those channels, it could be a long night for the offense. With this lineup, expect Coyle to play more conservatively, until he can sub into the match his more offensively minded players, such as Barnes. A draw is more likely given this lineup.
The bright spot in this scenario is young Argentine midfielder Leonel Miranada getting the start. The on-loan player has impressed during pre-season, playing as a winger primarily for Coyle on the right. Miranada is capable of playing anywhere in midfield and carries a very important skill that was lacking last season off the bench: dead ball skills. When Davis was out last season, such as during the World Cup, the Dynamo lacked a player capable of providing dangerous service on corner kicks and free kicks, crippling an important part of the offense. With Miranda, though, the Dynamo have that player this season, giving Coyle needed flexibility.
Besides technical skills, Miranda also has good pace to match up with DaMarcus Beasley or Kofi Sarkodie on either flank. That kind of speed can cause havoc against the Crew's defense. His ability to pinch into the middle of the field will also prove key.
Prediction: If the injuries do linger on from pre-season, it'll be a difficult match for the Dynamo. A 1-1 draw would be considered a victory in that case. If Coyle can get some luck, with some or all of his injuries available, a tough victory is in the cards, likely a 2-1 scoreline.