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D.C. United visit the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday as the clubs resume their regular seasons after Major League Soccer's two-month hiatus for the World Cup.
After going 2-4-2 with just four goals in their first eight regular-season matches, D.C. United (4-5-6, 18 points) erupted for 17 goals and a 2-1-4 record in their seven matches before the break.
This improved form has D.C. United in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, narrowly over the playoff line. With so much soccer yet to be played, head coach Rene Weiler is more focused on the short term than the postseason.
"I'm looking only for the next game," Weiler said. "So we want to start well on Wednesday, to have this first good impression from this second part (of the season), and all the rest we'll see later."
Midfielder Andre Dozzell signed with D.C. in May and is expected to make his MLS debut on Wednesday. Forward Nathan Ordaz was acquired in a trade with Los Angeles FC on July 13 but is "not in the best physical shape," according to Weiler.
Houston (7-6-1, 22 points) acquired striker Duncan McGuire from Orlando City on July 10 as the Dynamo are also looking to add to their scoring depth. Star midfielder Guilherme has carried much of the attack, scoring eight of the Dynamo's 17 goals and recording five of the team's 19 assists.
Sitting seventh in the Western Conference, the Dynamo opened their season 2-4-0, then went 5-2-1 before the break. The club has won each of its last three regular-season home matches, and Wednesday's projected temperatures of over 100 degrees may give Houston an added home-field edge.
"The weather is a factor. It always is here in the summer," Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen said. "So it's important to make sure we're training in this weather and we make sure that it's (to) our advantage, and (to our) opponents' disadvantage."
Antonio Carlos won't play Wednesday, as Olsen said the defender will miss "a few weeks" after undergoing a minor knee surgery. Lucas Halter and Sam Vines could return from the injured list to bolster the back line, as the two defenders played for Houston in friendly matches during the break.
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