Toronto FC look to carry winning momentum away from home against Houston Dynamo

Aug 12, 2016 | 1:00 PM

Toronto FC will look to carry their momentum built at home into Houston where they begin a three-game road trip against the Dynamo on Saturday.

Toronto has won a season-high four straight, but head out on the road where they have just three victories all season (3-6-3). TFC has not won away from BMO Field since a 2-0 victory in Montreal on April 23.

“I think every road game has its own challenge,” said defender Justin Morrow.

“(In) Houston, it’ll be very hot, it’ll be sweltering, and so we’re going to have to deal with that mentally. On top of that, we have a team (Houston) that isn’t in their best form, so they’re going to be trying extremely hard, putting pressure on us at every moment they have.”

Toronto (10-7-6) enters the match just one point back of New York City FC for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Reds also have a game in hand on NYCFC. A win for Toronto in Houston, coupled with a loss by NYCFC against the Columbus Crew would lift the Reds into the top spot.

“I think the games in hand are dangerous ’cause then you always think you have something,” said Toronto coach Greg Vanney. “You kind of add them up as three points and they’re not until you win the game.

“For us, it’s one game at a time. … We’re one point back, and it’s about accumulating points every chance we get the opportunity to, and this weekend is one of the opportunities.”

Houston (4-10-8) has not won since a 1-0 decision over the Philadelphia Union on July 2. The Dynamo are winless in five straight and have scored just one goal in that stretch. Houston is 4-1-5 on home turf this season, and currently sits at the bottom of the Western Conference table.

“I’m convinced that it really means nothing as every game is different,” said Sebastian Giovinco, who scored three goals in Toronto’s 4-1 win over New England. “We need to look to limit their chances of scoring goals. They’re coming off a really unfortunate (stretch), but this is what we have to do.”

Starting right fullback Steven Beitashour is questionable for Saturday after picking up a hip in jury against New England. Beitashour did not participate in practice on Thursday.

“I think it was just an awkward situation and it’s deep in the hip so it’s not like a muscle injury,” Vanney said. “Our goal is to continue to get guys back and not to lose guys so we’re not in a position where we feel we need to push anyone that is questionable.”

The Reds will also be without Will Johnson (bone fracture) Clint Irwin (quadriceps strain) and Benoit Cheyrou (hamstring).

TFC is 4-6-9 all-time against the Dynamo, including 1-3-5 in Houston. The Dynamo won the previous meeting 2-1 on May 10, 2015. Saturday is the lone meeting between the two clubs this season.

Dhiren Mahiban , The Canadian Press