Soccer Weekend: Houston coming to town, looking to break its slumping ways

Bruce Arena said it best in the post-match presser — besides about me being a miserable person — Wednesday night: “The second half of the season is the season.”

And the second half of the season — at least for your New England Revolution — begins this weekend, when The Boys In Blue host old friend Houston Dynamo at The Razor Saturday night (7:30 p.m.).

Houston, while sitting fifth in the Western Conference with its 7-5-3 record (24 points), have hit a bit of a rough stretch recently. The Dynamo’s opponents in their last two games have peppered the Orange and Black for six goals, and Wilmer Cabrera’s side have only won two matches since May 4: a 2-1 win over DC United on May 18, and a 3-2 Fourth Round win over USL Championship side Austin Bold FC on June 11.

Since then, though, the Dynamo are winless in their last three, including Wednesday night’s 2-0 loss to San Jose.

Of course, we can pinpoint, in some ways, the reasons why Houston has struggled as of late: several of its much-needed performers have been away from the club thanks to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

But now … they’re back.

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Yes, Alberth Elis, Romell Quioto, and Maynor Figueroa — thanks to Honduras getting bounced from the Gold Cup — are back and ready to help Houston get out of its own way. And while they were with the Dynamo for a majority of these last two months, they are still impactful players Revs fans will want to keep their eyes on Saturday night.

Back on June 1, Houston played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, much like many teams in MLS do; in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of San Jose, the Dynamo played in more of a 4-1-4-1. One of the things that I noticed in my film review was that outside of starting out of the back and building its offense through the wings is that it tries to avoid the center channel almost at all costs. Figueroa out of the center back position will deliver the occasional long ball, and Houston switches the point of the attack well.

But very infrequently will the ball come to the foot of a player in the middle of the pitch, attacking directly. Expect a lot of play out in the corners to stretch the Revolution defending.

What can you also expect? Quick play on the counter, with Elis the focal point. Elis also makes strong runs off the ball to get himself into scoring position inside the 18-yard box. He’ll try a quick step in the box to take out the left back — he will primarily play out on the right — and if the left back is strong, he can get flummoxed.

And if you’re expecting the Revs to score early, don’t. The Dynamo don’t give up many in the first half an hour of matches. Houston has a strong defensive unit, thanks to Figueroa, but also keep your eye on center back partner Aljaz Struna, Antonio Delamea’s Slovenian national team teammate. And there’s also A.J. De La Garza at right back.

Seriously, the Revs will need patience in their attack, and will have to switch the point of attack to get Houston to bite. They are not a pressing team, and their line of contention is generally closer to the midway line, inviting the opponent in.

If Quioto gets on the ball, he prefers his right foot. In the film I’ve watched, he does not like his left. The Revs’ right back of the night should get Quioto, should he play, into positions where he is forced to go to his left.

After playing 90 minutes in Honduras’ last group stage game of the Gold Cup Tuesday, I’m expecting Elis and Figueroa to have some time on the plastic pasture Saturday night. Quioto started on the bench Wednesday for Houston and played 26 minutes.

Elsewhere in the league this weekend

A couple of games on tap tonight:

Chicago is at the Red Bulls ( 8 p.m., UniMas), while Colorado is at LAFC (10 p.m., UniMas). In Harrison, the Red Bulls can move up to fourth with a win for the evening, given it is two points behind Atlanta United. Chicago cannot get out of eighth with a win.

On Saturday, Minnesota United hosts FC Cincinnati (4 p.m., ESPN), Atlanta hosts Montreal, NYCFC hosts Philadelphia in the Bronx, Columbus hosts Orlando City, DC United hosts Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake hosts Sporting Kansas City, San Jose hosts LA Galaxy, and Seatte hosts Vancouver in a Cascadia Cup matchup.

On Sunday, the lone MLS tilt sees Portland hosting FC Dallas.

In the CONCACAF Gold Cup, we’re in the quarterfinals. Saturday will see Haiti and Revolution Homegrown midfielder Zach Herivaux take on Canada (7 p.m., FS1) before Mexico takes on Costa Rica at 9:30 p.m. (FS1). Both of those games are in Houston.

Sunday will see Jamaica take on Panama (5:30 p.m., FS1) before the United States men take on Curaçao at 8 p.m. (FS1). Both of those games are in Philadelphia at the Link.

The semifinals are Tuesday and Wednesday, with the US men, should they advance, playing in Nashville Wednesday night. The final is Sunday, July 7, at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Tonight sees two games in the Copa America, as Venezuela takes on Argentina, and Colombia takes on Chile. Really interested in that Venezuela-Argentina matchup: can Lionel Messi bring it and get Los Albicelestes into the semifinals?

Uruguay takes on Peru on Saturday.

And of course, last but certainly not least, the United States women take on France today in the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals. The Yanks are taking on France at 3 p.m., and if you’re in Boston today, Mayor Marty Walsh is hosting viewing party at Boston City Hall in old Scollay Square.

The winner of today’s matchup will take on England, which won 3-0 over Norway Thursday afternoon. That semifinal will be Tuesday.

On Saturday, Italy takes on the Netherlands, and Germany takes on Sweden. Huge matchups Saturday, setting up Wednesday’s semifinal.

So much football. Hope you enjoy.