[MLS PREDICTION] Western Conference leader Chivas USA will take a break from league play starting June 20 for the SuperLiga, but first has a tough road date Wednesday in Houston and another in Columbus Sunday, and thus needs points. The second-place Dynamo is riding an eight-game unbeaten streak and with two games in hand can close to within three points of the conference lead by winning.

WEDNESDAY
HOUSTON (6-2-3) vs. CHIVAS USA (8-2-3), 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2/ESPNDeportes

Both teams are shorthanded by national team call-ups and injuries but by far the worse off is Chivas USA, which also has right back Mariano Trujillo suspended. With Dynamo forward Brian Ching sidelined with a strained hamstring, the attack will flow through midfielder Stuart Holden and Kei Kamara, who scored twice when the teams last met at Robertson Stadium in a 4-0 Houston win Aug. 20.

Kamara set up Holden to score the only goal in Houston's 1-0 win in Chicago last Friday. Chivas USA beat Seattle last weekend by the same score on a goal by Eduardo Lilingston, who leads the team with five.

Prediction: Dynamo 2, Chivas USA 0.

RIDGE MAHONEY'S 2009 PREDICTION RECORD
Last week: 5-3; Spot-ons: 3*. Season: 42-50.

*RSL-Colorado 1-1, Dallas-San Jose 2-2, Chivas USA-Seattle 1-0.