Kinnear returns to Houston as 'Quakes battle Dynamo
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Dominic Kinnear returns to Houston for the first time as head coach of the San Jose Earthquakes as the Dynamo welcome Kinnear's new side to BBVA Compass Stadium on Tuesday.
Kinnear spent nine seasons in Houston, guiding the club to a pair of MLS Cup titles, before leaving for San Jose at the end of last year.
And while it will no doubt be emotional for the boss to return to his old stomping grounds, Earthquakes midfielder Shea Salinas made it very clear what exactly is on the minds of his players.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"First and foremost, it's a business trip," Salinas said of Tuesday's match. "We're going down there to get points. There's nothing worse than traveling really far, playing an intense game and not having anything to take away from it. Our priority is getting points down in Houston."
Both sides are in need of a good result with San Jose having earned only one win in the last five games, while Houston's struggles are even more pronounced with the Dynamo securing just one victory in their last eight outings.
If Kinnear's return to Houston is going to be a triumphant one, he must figure out a way to get more from his attacking players as the Earthquakes have managed just three goals from their last five games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}One of those tallies came in the last match, a 1-1 draw on the road against Real Salt Lake.
Chris Wondolowski put San Jose in front with a 19th-minute goal, but a Victor Bernardez second-half own goal forced the 'Quakes to settle for a share of the spoils.
The San Jose attack may be struggling, but the team might be facing the right side at the moment with the Dynamo having allowed four goals in each of their last two matches.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 4-4 draw with Sporting Kansas City produced plenty of fireworks, but Friday's 4-1 thrashing at home against rivals FC Dallas has left a bad taste in the mouths of many Dynamo players.
Houston may not be entering Tuesday's match with much in the way of momentum, but the team is happy to have the opportunity to erase that result with the quick turnaround.
"We have an opportunity to make it right. We have to go home and look in the mirror and hold our hands up and try and get better. Be honest with ourselves, come to work ready to get better," said Houston midfielder Brad Davis.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}San Jose has not had a lot of success in Houston with the Earthquakes last recording an away victory against the Dynamo in 2010.
Kinnear was a big reason for that as Dynamo coach, and he will try to reverse that trend on Tuesday while coaching from the opposite side.