Dynamo-Fire Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON

(AP) -- A trade from the Houston Dynamo to the Chicago Fire early last season did wonders for Dominic Oduro's career.

While he's not overly focused on facing his former club, the Ghanaian forward will get another chance to show the Dynamo what they missed out on during Sunday night's matchup at Toyota Park.

Oduro was dealt to the Fire (1-1-1) for forward Calen Carr following the season opener in 2011 and went on to tally a team-best 12 goals for Chicago after scoring no more than five in his previous five MLS seasons with three different clubs.

He had one goal in each of the first two games this season but had that streak snapped during the most recent game, a 2-0 defeat in Colorado on April 1.

"I know a lot of people are wanting to find out whether I'm psyched about this, but the answer is that I have to be psyched about every game," Oduro told the team's website. "Houston is history right now for me. Now I'm living in the present and the Chicago Fire. We're just trying to get points against a team in our conference."

Like the Fire, Houston (2-1-0) should be well-rested as it attempt to rebound from a 2-0 road defeat, against Seattle on March 23. The Dynamo are in the middle of a seven-game road stretch while awaiting the opening of BBVA Compass Stadium next month.

Houston, though, will be short-handed in the midfield as Brad Davis is dealing with a strained left calf. Colin Clark was suspended for three games for directing a gay slur toward a ball boy during the loss in Seattle and Adam Moffat was given a one-game ban for a reckless tackle on Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso.

"We're going to have to overcome a few changes, but ... (Coach Dominic Kinnear) has brought in a lot of good guys," forward Brian Ching said. "There are guys that are eager to play and ready to step up, and they're going to get their opportunity."

Without those players, the Dynamo will seek to extend a three-game unbeaten streak in the series. Houston had a pair of 1-all draws last season against Chicago after winning six of seven matchups.

Bobby Boswell scored the tying goal in the 83rd minute during the visit to Toyota Park last April, and Oduro had the equalizer in the 43rd minute in Houston on Oct. 1.

The Dynamo are 3-1-2 in Chicago during MLS play, but the Fire are expected to get defender Dan Gargan back from a sprained left toe for this game, allowing Logan Pause to move back to the midfield.

However, Chicago lost defender Cory Gibbs for the next four to six months after needing surgery for a knee injury he suffered in practice last week. Arne Friedrich, a two-time World Cup participant with Germany who was signed March 7, is might start in Gibbs' absence.

Updated April 14, 2012