Conference Semis, Leg 1: Point, Counterpoint

Sam Sunshine: This was an excellent result for the Dynamo. The team thrives on adversity. Being down 0-1 gives them the focus they need to get to the next round.

Gloomy Gus: This is a horrible result. For no good reason whatsoever, the Dynamo have had atrocious finishing this year. They scored only one goal in the opening month of the league, and were held scoreless in 5 of the first 7 games. We sometimes can't even score against 10-man teams, like the Red Bulls and even lowly Toronto. We've now been held scoreless in two matches in a row, and we need to score TWO now in the next game if we want to progress … and for even that to work, we also have to keep Dallas from scoring any more.

SS: All good points, but I don't see HD being shutout three games in a row now that they're in their in-season form. Besides, we've been in this position before, with Chivas last year.

GG: Aha! But Chivas is an attack-oriented team, even back then. They opened up the field, and we could take advantage of that. Dallas will look to preserve the tie. They'll come out "aggressive" in the first 5 minutes, then spend the remaining 85 minutes bunkered in and looking for the counter attack. They're coached by an ex-Arsenal defender, for cryin' out loud -- they'll know how to kill the game. They won't open up at all, and we've proven that we cannot score one, much less two, versus a bunker -- no matter how poor the team is.

SS: Yes, but if we score one, the game will open up. We have the best defense in the league, talented wingers, a creative attacking midfielder, and one of the best target forwards in the MLS. We can get that one goal. Besides, we're at home.

GG: Our talent can certainly dominate games. They can also not score in games where they otherwise dominate.

SS: We can also score multiple times. In the month of September, we scored 11 times in 4 games. Not bad.

GG: I just worry that our mojo -- our magical juju -- is gone. The defense is great, so FCD may not get another goal; but 1 goal may be all FCD needs to end this. We may not get the one we need.

SS: I hope you're wrong.

GG: At least we agree on that.