The Houston Dynamo will get a taste of the playoffs before the regular season comes to a close this week, as they prepare for back-to-back games against Western Conference rivals Sporting Kansas City. The Dynamo host Sporting at BBVA Compass on Wednesday night (7 p.m. | TICKETS), then travel to Kansas City on Sunday (6:30 p.m. | KUBE 57).
It’s a two-legged series that could repeat itself in the actual Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs a few weeks down the road, but at this moment it has the potential to secure the Dynamo’s place in postseason play.
Currently, the Dynamo sit in fifth place in the West – one point and two spots above the playoff line. A home win on Wednesday would set them up with the ability to clinch a playoff spot over the weekend. Both Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes have 42 points with two games remaining, putting their maximum points potential at 48 apiece. The Dynamo, currently on 43 points, can surpass that with two wins or a win and losses by both RSL and San Jose.
It won’t be easy for the Dynamo, however, against a Sporting Kansas City side also trying to lock up their playoff spot and earn a knockout round bye. Kansas City enters the week with 48 points, good for second best in the West. A draw on Wednesday would be enough to clinch their playoff spot, but a win would put them level with first-place Vancouver Whitecaps FC with two games to play.
For a team that hasn’t been in playoff contention since 2013, these games against Sporting Kansas City are the perfect tune-up for the type of intensity and drama they want to experience again come playoff time.
