Cabrera trying to keep Orange on an even keel

Guarding against momentum wave cresting at Seattle

Winning teams often are confident teams, but what happens when the confidence gets out of control? Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera does not want to find out any time soon.

The Dynamo (7-5-2) are experiencing their greatest momentum in four years after Wednesday’s 5-1 home victory over Real Salt Lake.

Entering the weekend’s games the Dynamo are alone atop the Western Conference standings. They also are tied for the league lead in goals scored.

When they travel to Seattle for Sunday night’s game against Sounders FC, the Orange will seek their second consecutive positive road result for the first time this season.

Respecting rival a must

Considering the fact the Dynamo are still trying to build chemistry under a first-year coach, this seems like the highest it could be right now. Cabrera said between Sunday’s 0-0 draw at FC Dallas and Wednesday’s rout of Real Salt Lake he is doing his best to make sure the players are not too comfortable.

“We cannot have extra confidence because too much is not good,” Cabrera said. “We need to be always watching our opponents with a lot of respect, and we respect the rival. They’re very good. They’re very dangerous. They’re a team that moves the ball well, and they have dangerous players up front. We needed to be sure that we were solid in the back.”

Being solid in the back will be a touch easier in Seattle. Sounders FC will be without their three top forwards due to international duty (Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris) and injury (Will Bruin). In Wednesday’s loss to Columbus Crew SC, Seattle used midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro at forward in a 4-4-2 formation.

Seattle (4-6-4) likely will have revenge on its mind after losing to the Dynamo in the season opener.

First road win the goal

Cabrera said there are more important factors on Seattle’s side.

“They lost their last game so they have come back home and they need to impose from the beginning,” Cabrera said. “They’re going to try to do that, and we know that and respect that. But we’re going to try to play our game and try to continue improving, especially because we have the challenge with the away games.”

The Dynamo ended their run of negative road results last weekend, but adding another positive result could really give them something to build on.

If they get overconfident, they will likely lack the edge needed to get a point or three in Seattle. If the Dynamo use the momentum to their advantage, they may get exactly what they want Sunday night — their first road win of 2017.

“Obviously, it’s two really good results, but you can’t get hung up on that,” defender Dylan Remick said. “We use what we did in the games to help apply to this game on the road in Seattle. Everybody is in great moods.

“The past two games have been really good, so it’s good juices. We definitely have to use it to our advantage and try and use the momentum, especially on the road in a tough environment.”