Union vs. Houston Dynamo
9 p.m. on TCN
If the Union (7-5-5) want to shake off a run of two losses in their last three MLS games, they’ll first need to get through their former teammates Andrew Wenger, Cristian Maidana and the Houston Dynamo (3-8-5) on Saturday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Here’s five things to know:
1. Wenger, Maidana reunion
The Union revamped their roster this offseason, shipping Wenger and Maidana to the Dynamo, where they joined up with another former teammate, longtime Union fullback, Sheanon Williams.
Saturday will mark the first time the Union get to face their former mates.
“I've been waiting for this game since I got here from Philadelphia,” said Dynamo midfielder Maidana, who played two seasons with the Union. “I hope this Saturday to be as positive for me as for my team. I still don't know if I am going to play but I am really looking forward for this game. I hope to be there to face my ex-teammates and hopefully win the game.”
But even while the emotions might run high for players like Wenger, Williams and Maidana, who were ejected from the Union roster involuntarily, the Union’s demeanor will stay the same. For them, it’s just another game.
“It’s not so big of a deal,” Union midfielder Brian Carroll said. “It’s good to see them beforehand, maybe have a bite after the game, but really it’s shake hands and get on with it.”
2. Battered forwards
Entering the 2016 season, the Union were noticeably light on forwards. That fact might come back to bite them on Saturday, as they are dealing with injuries to their top-three striker options -- C.J. Sapong (ankle sprain), Fabian Herbers (hamstring) and Sebastien Le Toux (concussion).
Le Toux is out and will not travel with the team, while Herbers and Sapong are questionable.
“We have a good group, we have a deep team, and we have a lot of guys who have stepped up in tough times,” Union manager Jim Curtin said. “Whether it’s losing players to injuries or international duty, we’ve managed to have the next-man-up mentality.”
Though Sapong should be available in limited duty, the Union are expected to tap into that “next-man up mentality” when they lean heavily on Leo Fernandes, a midfielder by trade that played forward in college.
“Leo has done it in college,” Curtin said. “And he showed he could do it in Major League Soccer. He’s very good holding the ball, fighting for things, strong. The last two games now he has come into, he’s left a real mark on. It’s the sign of a young player that’s growing up and getting confidence.”
Fernandes, who has played in eight games this season, is expected to work in a false-nine style, which has the potential to throw the opposing defense out of whack without a true forward to cover.
“I say it in front of my whole group in training, Leo is our best player,” Curtin said. “Almost every day, in terms of getting goals, setting up goals, he does an excellent job and now it’s translating to the field in the big moment.”
3. Houston heat
When facing the Dynamo as visitors, there’s one constant: The unbearing Houston heat.
“The pitch and the weather help us a lot here,” Maidana said.
And it could on Saturday, as Houston is expected to see scattered thunderstorms and a high of 94 degrees, including close to 90 at game time.
“Yeah, it’s hot,” Curtin said. “It’ll be right around 100 degrees, so you know you’re dealing with the elements. They’re a little more acclimated to it, which is an advantage for them. We’ll have to be smart with how we keep possession, how we move as a team.”
When asked how to deal with that, Union midfielder Warren Creavalle, who played three seasons with the Dynamo, didn’t really have an answer.
“Hydrate? I don’t know,” he said. “Teams usually do have a tough time coming into the heat. But after breaking through that initial barrier, get your wind and adjust, it’s just another game. You just have to manage yourself well.”
Carroll is also wary of the task at hand.
“It doesn’t matter if they are friends or foes, playing in Houston in the middle of the summer isn’t an easy task,” he said. “We’ll have to rise to the challenge.”
4. Keep an eye on ...
C.J. Sapong: After weeks of false starts, Sapong is set to play on Saturday. But as Curtin noted, the amount of time he’ll contribute is unknown. “C.J. will be a factor in Saturday’s game, I can say that with confidence now. Minutes? I don’t know yet, but if I know C.J., he’ll want to start.”
Andrew Wenger: He couldn’t fit in with the Montreal Impact and he couldn’t find his way with the Union. But now that he’s with the Dynamo, things have been looking up for Wenger. The attacking player has been dangerous this season, with four goals (two off his career high) in 16 games. He’ll be looking to punish his old team on Saturday. “Andrew is a great player,” Curtin said. “He’s having a good year for them. He’s a player I always thought highly of. It’s a good change of scenery for him.”
5. This and that
• The Union are 4-5-5 against the Dynamo all-time and 2-4-0 in Houston.
• Despite the Western Conference beating up the East this season, the Dynamo are just 0-3-2 against the East, while the Union are 0-3-3 against the West.
• Though the Dynamo have improved throughout the season, the West’s lowest team is winless since May 14 (1-0 win over Real Salt Lake). Since then, the Dynamo are 0-2-3.
• During that five-game span, however, the Dynamo have only allowed six goals -- three came in a 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers on June 26.
