Dyanmo Defeat Real Salt Lake, Chivas Looms Before Playoffs

The Dynamo won an ugly match in Salt Lake City last night to set up a showdown with MLS juggernaut Chivas USA in the last game of the regular season. In a game reminiscient of the Rockets' matchups against the eternally dirty Jazz, two players were ejected and several Dynamo players face suspensions for accumulated yellow cards. Defenders Ryan Cochrane and Eddie Robinson will miss the finale against Chivas but will be eligible for the playoffs.

The hero of the game was Stuart Holden, who scored the game's only goal in the 66th minute. Not normally a first line player, Holden was subbed in for Dwayne De Rosario and rewarded coach Dominic Kinnear's decision to start him with several good shots on goal before the looping shot that gave the Dynamo their first-ever victory in Salt Lake.

Now about Chivas: they're the hottest team in the MLS right now, and the game on Saturday will determine the winner of the Western Conference. The Dynamo are now weakened on defense, and will have to stretch to cope with Chivas' swarming offense; however that offense is weakened by a season-ending knee injury to striker Ante Razov . Still, all The Orange have to do is tie to cement home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Stay tuned as playoff fever heats up in Dynamo-land!