FRISCO, Texas -- The Houston Dynamo didn't even start preseason practice until Feb. 1, but the two-time MLS Cup champs already have a pair of preseason games on the books, both against FC Dallas. On Friday in Houston, the Orange prevailed 3-0 and the same sides played to a 0-0 draw on Monday morning in Frisco.
While most MLS sides are preparing with their regular-season opener in mind, the Dynamo have something else to focus on, a Feb. 24 match with Mexican side Atlante FC in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League.
"It was a good game," Kinnear said about Monday's draw. "Both games were a great exercise for both teams. I didn't think it was going to be a 3-0 game again today. There were chances on both sides and I think the draw is pretty fair. For us, we're looking to hurry up and get ready for the 24th. I think the two games were great for us and I think they were good for them too."
One encouraging sign was that veteran midfielder Brian Mullan played the full 90 for the Orange, something Kinnear took notice of.
"We're asking certain guys on certain days to play 90 minutes," he said. "He only played 65 the other day. The guys came in pretty good shape and that is helpful for what we're doing. I think it's impressive that he did but the energy that he showed the whole time is what was impressive."
The Houston coach also lauded fellow midfielder Brad Davis for his solid play. Davis created one of the better chances of the first half, a cross to Kei Kamara that was saved by FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala. And Davis himself was denied by Sala in the second frame.
"I think he was good," Kinnear said. "We all know he is a good passer of the ball. He played some good passes in there. He has a little bit different form in there. But I think that any time you give him time and space, he is a threat going the attacking way."
Davis, who has had his share of injury troubles the last few years, said he is feeling better than ever.
"Everybody keeps asking me that (about how I feel)," he admitted. "I know that I have struggled with injuries and that has been my biggest downfall. I've worked really hard the past year-and-a-half to build myself up and to get fit, especially this offseason. I know this is the best I've felt in any preseason. I will keep working at it and my goal is to stay injury free."
While the veteran has enjoyed playing FCD, whom he played for in 2003 and 2004, he is also eagerly anticipating his side's first Champions League match.
"I think they're good games," Davis said. "They're definitely challenging and those guys are in the middle of their season right now while we're in preseason. We're going to be ready. I think this team isn't treating it as a preseason game. We're working hard. I think when we get to that game, guys will be firing on all cylinders and will be ready for that game. It's just preparing us for when the MLS season starts. Our season starts on the 24th."
Playing twice against his team's in-state rival has been a nice plus, but for Kinnear the bottom line remains simple.
"I just want to play games," he said. "Any time you can get games, no matter who your opponent is, it's good for your team. You can only train so much and the guys really want to play. It made it nice to play these guys back-to-back in four days. With this Atlante series coming up, it's important that we try and get in as many games as possible."
With the start of the MLS season rapidly approaching, Davis admits that he and his teammates have already started thinking about how they are going to approach the upcoming campaign after failing to capture a third consecutive league title last fall.
"There is definitely a bitter taste in our mouths because we know we are a better team than what stepped on the field against New York, especially in that game down in Houston," he said. "It was a long year. We played 50 games or something like that. We're not using that as an excuse but it does wear you down. We played through a lot of injuries and without a lot of guys last year. We know that if we play our game, we're going to be a tough team to beat. We think when we step on the field, we thinking that no matter where we're at, we're going to get a result. That's our goal every time we step on the field, to get points no matter where we are at. We have a sour taste in our mouths and are ready to get back after it this year."
Next up for the Dynamo is a Thursday date out West with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
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