Dynamo-Revolution Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE

(AP) -- The New England Revolution are looking for continued success on the offensive side during this home-heavy portion of their schedule.

The Houston Dynamo would like to start converting as they hit the road for the first time since opening their new stadium.

New England tries to win three straight in Foxborough for the first time in two seasons when these Eastern Conference foes open their two-game season series Saturday night.

Limited to four goals while losing four of their previous five matches, the Revolution (4-6-0) opened a stretch of seven of nine at Gillette Stadium with a 4-1 victory over Vancouver last Saturday. New England posted its highest goal total since a 4-all draw at Philadelphia on Sept. 7.

Midfielder Lee Nguyen scored twice and set up Saer Sene's team-high fourth goal of the season, earning him MLS player of the week honors.

"We worked hard and we didn't give up after that first goal," Nguyen told the Revolution's official website. "It was a great win."

If the Revolution can match a season high by winning two straight, they'll post their first three-game home winning streak since July 10-Aug. 14, 2010.

The Dynamo (3-3-3) are coming off a scoreless draw with Portland on Tuesday. Houston has 17 shots on goal in its last two matches but has scored once during that stretch - that goal coming from midfielder Brad Davis in a 1-0 victory over D.C. in the first game at BBVA Compass Stadium last Saturday.

"I'd say frustrating because it's disappointing if you don't play well and you don't create any chances," coach Dominic Kinnear told the Dynamo's official website. "... So it's frustrating because you're getting good looks on goal and you're not scoring."

Despite the Dynamo's recent scoring slump, the Revs are wary of Davis and Houston's dangerous set pieces. New England has given up four goals off those situations this season.

"We have to be physical," Revolution defender Kevin Alston said. "They're great on set pieces. Brad Davis plays those dangerous balls in, they have a lot of big bodies and that's how they get a lot of their goals."

Dynamo leading scorer Will Bruin is scoreless in the last three matches after recording four goals in the previous three.

Houston defender Andre Hainault, called up to the Canadian national team this week, is expected to play Saturday. That's good news for the Dynamo's Tally Hall, who will be looking for a career-best third consecutive clean sheet.

The Revs' Matt Reis made 13 saves in two matches against Houston last season, seven in a 1-all draw in Foxborough on Aug. 17.

Updated May 18, 2012