The league’s two best teams face off on Sunday as Western Conference leading Houston Dynamo travels Northeast to take on the Columbus Crew, leaders of the Eastern Conference (Sunday, 5 pm ET, Direct Kick). The two teams account for the last three MLS Cup titles, with Columbus winning last year and Houston winning both years prior. They opened this season against each other, playing to a 1-1 draw on March 21 at Robertson Stadium.
Columbus is coming off two losses, an upset loss to the New York Red Bulls and a 5-0 drubbing to Cruz Azul during mid-week and, after which Crew coach Robert Warzycha gave his team a week off. “We’re going to throw those games in the trash can and move on,” attacker Eddie Gaven said. “We didn’t play our best. We can play so much better. It’s a long season. It’s nice to be able to take a week where guys can rest their bodies. It’s also just as important to rest their minds as well. I think it is going to help us.”
The Houston Dynamo returns to action after having a weekend off. Like the Crew, the Dynamo also lost its last game, 1-0 at Colorado. The Dynamo still leads the Western Conference with 40 points from 24 matches, two points ahead of the LA Galaxy. It also leads the Supporters’ Shield race for the best record in the league, a point ahead of the Columbus Crew.