Columbus (9-5-4) at Houston (5-4-8), 8:30 p.m.

Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew, two teams with legitimate MLS Cup championship hopes this season, square off at Robertson Stadium in Houston on Saturday.

Both teams are coming off 2-0 results in their last Major League Soccer fixtures, with the Dynamo topping D.C. United on July 23 and the Crew topping the Colorado Rapids on July 27.

The Dynamo's win came after the originally scheduled game was postponed twice because of thunderstorms and power outages in D.C.

"This game had to get in for both sides," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. "The field Crew did a great job trying to get as much water off the field as possible. The rain kept on coming. Everyone was trying their hardest to get the game in. ... I'm glad this game is behind us."

The two-time defending champions got both goals in the win on set pieces

"It is very tough to play against teams like that because they are very confident," Houston's Dwayne De Rosario said of D.C. United. "Having said that, I thought we were solid defensively, with the exception of those few minutes in the second half. But when we needed him, [goalkeeper] Pat [Onstad] was there to make the big saves. Offensively, I thought we created a lot of chances, and you really can't ask for more against these guys."

The Crew got goals from Steven Lenhart and Jason Garey in the win. Lenhart won't be available for the next two games, however, because of a red card and suspension received from elbowing Rapids defender Facundo Erpen in the face.

Both teams will be missing key players because of their participation in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, China, with the Crew missing Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo and the dynamo missing Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni.

"It's going to be tough losing those guys but at the same time we're a really deep team," the Crew's Eddie Gaven said. "That's one the qualities of this team. There are plenty of guys who are ready and willing to step in and do their part."