Saturday will be a busy day in Major League Soccer with seven games on the docket. Two additional games are scheduled for Sunday. In this preview we’ll take a look at an inter-conference game between FC Cincinnati and the Houston Dynamo at Nippert Stadium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cincinnati enters this matchup having lost six straight in MLS competition. During this run of poor play they’ve suffered defeat at the hands of Orlando City, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids, New York City, LA Galaxy and most recently a 7-1 debacle against Minnesota United. Four of the six losses came on the road and that means Cincy could be poised to break their run of futility here as they host a poor traveling Houston Dynamo side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an expansion team, Cincinnati backers were anticipating a tough first season and that’s exactly what has transpired. At 3-2-13, FC Cincinnati has the worst record in the MLS by a wide margin. They are 6 points back of the team with the second worst record in both the league and the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Crew. Amid their struggles, however, there have been a couple of highlights on their home pitch including a 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers and a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact. Their home record of 2-1-4 isn’t anything great but for a team that entered the season with extremely low expectations it’s reasonable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Houston has one of the strangest and most pronounced home\/road disparities in Major League Soccer. They are an extremely tough opponent at home–in fact, they are undefeated at BBVA Compass Stadium where they are 7-3-0 on the season. That is in complete contrast to their play on the road where they have only 1 win against six losses. At home, they’ve got an impressive 20 goals scored to 9 conceded while on the road they’ve scored only 6 and conceded 13. While their hosts have lost six straight in all venues it’s worth noting that Houston has lost six straight road games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Houston’s poor play away from home they are a somewhat dubious favorite. For that reason, we’ll look at the MLS soccer odds<\/a> and take a shot on the handicap line with the hard trying home side. A win or a draw will get us the money. FC Cincinnati should come out in strong form hoping to atone for their shabby showing in the 7-1 loss to Minnesota last week. If they put up a decent effort we should cash the ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n