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Sports

Houston hopes to keep rolling against TFC

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Toronto, ON – According to Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear, the club is coming off of its most productive week in MLS.

And judging by the numbers, it's hard to argue.

The Dynamo will travel to BMO Field to take on Toronto FC on Saturday, and they do so following a week that saw the club collect three wins by a combined score of 9-1, moving Kinnear's side to within four points of the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

"This has probably been our most productive week in MLS with the games piled on top of each other," Kinnear said. "To go from 25 [points] to 34 in a span of seven days, it gives us a huge boost in the standings and huge boost confidence wise."

Houston is in the midst of a six-game unbeaten streak, and it's no coincidence that the club is starting to hit its stride at the same time that playmaking midfielder Brad Davis is rounding into form.

Kinnear has switched Houston's formation, which in turn has placed Davis in a new role. However, he seems to be adjusting well with three goals and six assists in the team's last eight games.

The visitors are certainly entering the match full of confidence, but so too is TFC.

After claiming just two wins from its first 17 matches this season, Toronto has won its last three games and head coach Paul Mariner's team is looking to be greatly improved from the side that got off to such a woeful start.

Part of the reason for the team's spike in form is due to a more consistently dangerous attack, which has been bolstered by a few new additions.

With striker Danny Koevermans out for the season because of injury, TFC has acted quickly to add quality up top, acquiring both Eric Hassli and Quincy Amarikwa to go along with Ryan Johnson and Luis Silva.

The additions of Hassli and Amarikwa have suddenly made Mariner's job a bit tougher as he now must make decisions regarding his forward rotation.

But certainly it's not a bad problem to have.

"You know my philosophy on the team. If we are successful, then people have got to break in. Once you get your chance, then away you go," Mariner said. "There's no doubt that [Eric Hassli] is going to be a fantastic signing for us. We've got three or four guys now for a couple of spots. It's very good for us."

Having too much of a good thing is not the case here for Toronto. But the club also wouldn't mind collecting a few more wins in order to get back in the discussion for a playoff spot.