PLAYING AGAINST PHILLY UNION GIVES US OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND - BEN OLSEN

Written by Sam Mbonu 

The Houston Dynamo will seek to bounce back from a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps when they host high flying Philadelphia Union in a cross-conference match up at the Shell Energy Stadium in MLS match day 26.  

This is part of Houston Dynamo three game homestead which they hope will boast their MLS playoffs push. 

Dynamo were outclassed by the Canadians in all department, a game that saw boos from the fans but head coach, Ben Olsen is adamant that the team has what it takes to make the post season. 

“a very similar opponent and how they go about the game. They will be physical, there will be fast attacks, they are a well drilled and arguably they are the best team in the league so we have to be at our best but hopefully we learn a little bit from that Vancouver game which in same way preps us for a high level team that is playing at their best, so learn our lessons from Vancouver and we gave our best shot, we looking forward to it” he added.  

Houston Dynamo have lost more home games than they have won this season and a trend which has angered the home fans. The 3-0 defeat at the Shell Energy stadium is the 4th game the team has conceded 3 goals at home.  

For Philadelphia Union, they defeated Montreal 2-1 on match day 25, top of the eastern conference under head coach, Bradly Carnell who is in his first season as their manager. Philly Union has amassed 46 points in 23 games, boasting 14 wins with only 5 loses.  

Ben Olsen went ahead to acknowledge the excellence of Philadelphia Union and their contribution to the league. 

“Listen, I get a lot of love for this organization. They have done as good as any club, pound for pound, dollar for dollar. In the history of the league, I think they are number 1in what they’ve done, whether is the academy, points per dollar spent on players, they get more rights than wrong. I’m also friend with Jimmy and little bit biased on what he did there but Bradley picked up and gave them some new life, i guess some new ideas like fast attacks, getting on you, they are well drilled just like Jimmy team were so i get a lot of respect form them that challenged to play the best team in the league right now for our group and make a statement and have a chance to respond. I think it is a wonderful opportunity for us” he reiterated.