MLS Preview: Houston hope to strike flailing Montreal

Houston Dynamo will look to leapfrog Montreal Impact in the MLS’ Eastern Conference standings when they host the Canadians on Friday.

Montreal have been around the top of the Eastern Conference for most of the season but just one victory in their past five games has seen the Impact drop to third and they are in danger of further falling down the table on their trip to Texas.

Houston have three victories and a draw in their past four matches in all competitions, scoring nine goals in the process.

American forward Will Bruin has scored in each of Houston’s past two MLS games (a 1-1 draw away to New England Revolution and a 5-1 demolition of Chivas USA) and Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will be hoping the 23-year-old can continue his scoring streak against Montreal.

Bruin’s equaliser versus New England exemplified his ability in the penalty area with the 188-centimetre striker turning sharply near the penalty spot and slamming the ball home.

Giles Barnes and Boniek Garcia are also in top scoring form having both notched braces in the big victory over Chivas on September 21.

If Houston win on Friday, they will move to 47 points and up into third in the Eastern Conference, while Montreal will drop to fourth on 46, although the Impact will have a game in hand on the Dynamo.

In the Western Conference, the Seattle Sounders will hope FC Dallas can take points off leaders Real Salt Lake so they can reclaim top spot on the table.

Seattle have drawn their past two games, which allowed Real to move into the Western Conference’s first position on goals scored after a 1-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps, but if they overcome Colorado Rapids on Saturday and Salt Lake fail to triumph against Dallas, the Sounders will be back on top.

Real have lost two of their past three MLS games.

If both Real and the Sounders lose this weekend, third-placed Portland Timbers will be ready to strike in the Western Conference as they sit two points adrift and take on Vancouver on Sunday.

In the other Sunday match, Los Angeles Galaxy will host Chivas USA in the MLS’ SuperClasico.

In other fixtures, DC United will welcome Chicago Fire to the United States’ capital, New York Red Bulls face the Revolution, Sporting Kansas City will travel to play Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union will be up against Toronto FC.