We can talk all we want about the history of these two teams and all the threads of commonality until we are blue in the face but the reality is that these teams need points and they need them now. Don’t even consider a single point as victory, three points or bust at Robertson Stadium especially for the Dynamo who have only eight games to go. San Jose still has 10 left. It is the first meeting of the year between these two teams.
Both are coming off losses, the Dynamo 3-0 to Colorado and San Jose 2-0 at New York. In New York, San Jose did have road chances despite the fact that they are depleted through injury and suspension coming into Sunday’s match against the Dynamo. Here are a few thoughts:

CAMERON TO MIDFIELD?- Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear has always felt the best spot for Geoff Cameron is in midfield and with Lovel Palmer unavailable and Anthony Obodai hurting, there seems to be little question that Cameron will be patrolling the midfield for the Dynamo with Eddie Robinson most likely coming into center back to partner Bobby Boswell. Only concern with this change could be the pace of Cornell Glen who got chances against New York and outside of finishing brought a dangerous overall game. Glen has only one goal on the year but got himself into good goal-scoring positions against the Red Bulls only to not deliver. Lets hope his break out game is not against the Dynamo.

LOVEL PALMER is playing for Jamaica and based on comments in the press from Dominic Kinnear he is not to pleased about it. Who can blame him during a year where he has been hard pressed to put his top players out together. Then again, you can’t blame Palmer, what player does not want to represent his country? Comes at a bad time though especially when it is a friendly match. The player is torn between two teams and these are the situations that drive coaches crazy .

SAN JOSE WALKING WOUNDED include the following: Ike Opara, Joe Cannon, Andre Luiz, Ramiro Corrales, while both Ryan Johnson (international duty for Jamaica with Palmer) and Bobby Convey (suspended) are not available. This team has 6-7 starters out but could get minutes tonight from Eduardo who has spent time playing in Europe with Basel in Switzerland.

DEBUT OF GEOVANNI…He scored some brilliant goals for Hull City in the English Premier League and all indications have him starting up front against the Dynamo with Cornell Glenn. He is dangerous during the run of play, skillful with the ability to change a game with a ball at his feet and serious off free-kicks. The Brazilian is 30 years of age and under contract through the rest of the season. The Quakes and Geovanni will then decide what the future will hold. By the way, he had to leave San Jose to get his paperwork sorted out and then walked across the border with San Jose Communications head Jed Mettee due to the long line of cars in Tijuana, Mexico.

TACTICS…Shuffled lineups make it difficult to predict consistent tendencies but for sure like always the Dynamo will press and be aggressive at home. If Geoff Cameron plays in midfield he will need to be the best player for the Dynamo on this evening. Brad Davis should return and needs to be impactful and come up with creative moments not just off set pieces but during the run of the play. Brian Ching is listed as doubtful which leaves Cam Weaver, Joseph Ngwenya and Dominic Oduro vying to be the main goal scoring threat.
Can the Dynamo get behind the San Jose midfield and test center-backs Brandon McDonald and Jason Hernandez who like to sit deep on goalkeeper Jon Busch?
If Geovanni starts one thinks it would be up front….does he get paired with Chris Wondoloski or Cornell Glen. Wondoloski could be moved to midfield despit the fact that he leads the team with 8 goals.
Arturo Alvarez, Cornell Glen, Geovanni are the main danger men for San Jose. Control them and you control the game. Will the Quakes invite the Dynamo in and look to hit them Dynamo on the counter through the above trio. No one could fault the Quakes if they play this way as the Dynamo have had huge trouble breaking down compact defenses.

FIELD…No telling what the surface of Robertson Stadium will look like today after UH college football game vs. Texas State last night . How will this affect the game?

MILESTONES….Dynamo players with milestone games played:

Richard Mulrooney- 280th game
Brian Mullan-250th game
Brad Davis- 215th game
Bobby Boswell-160th game
Eddie Robinson- 160th game

Great numbers from players that have had outstanding careers!!

What are your thoughts on the Dynamo/San Jose? Twitter: Soccermattersgd

Catch the game tonight on FOX SPORTS HOUSTON or KHOU 11.2, join me for post game radio call in show tonight on Sports Talk 790 where I will field your calls and thoughts on the game!! Call in number is 713-212-5790

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Twitter: Soccermattersgd