Location: BBVA Compass Stadium
Time: 8:30 PM EST
Form: DLLWL
Recent Result: VAN 2 - 1 HOU
Position: 11th in the West
We have a massive game today guys. We all know what today means. Win or our season is essentially over. The Houston Dynamo stand in our way tonight. A team that started the season strong has tailed off over the past couple months and find themselves in the gutter of the Western Conference. Unfortunately, this team is very strong at home, posting an impressive 8-3-4 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Orlando, for comparison, is only 6-7-3 at home. We have to go there and get a result if we want to remain #InTheHunt. Here are your 3 keys to the game.
1. Start Fast
We don't necessarily have to score in the first 15 minutes but we have to come out of the blocks raring to go. We can't go down early if we want to win this game. Instead, we need to be the dangerous team in this game. We need to put them on the back foot. If we do that, we will have the confidence to go on and win this game comfortably.
2. Must Win Mentality
We saw how we played in the 2nd half of the New England game with our season on the line. Now we have to do that for the full 90. If we treat this as it is, we will have the quality to get 3 points.
3. Shut Down Key Players
Mauro Manotas, Alberth Elis, and Memo Rodriguez have 63% of Houston's goals this season. Stopping this trio will go a long way to getting us the result. The defense will need to be switched on for 90 minutes. No stupid mistakes tonight.
Predicted Lineup
I could see JOC going with this sort of lineup. My only confusion is midfield. Will he go with Higuita/Johnson or Higuita/Rosell or even Higuita/Ascues. I have no idea but my gut says JOC will go with Johnson's work rate in the midfield to pair alongside Higuita.
Prediction: 2-1 Win.
It's must-win time and I think we will go out there and remain #InTheHunt. Let me know your predictions in the comments down below.
'Til next time, this has been Gavin Rushnell and #VamosOrlando