HOUSTON- The two-time MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo will open their 2009 regular season on March 21 at home against last year’s MLS Cup champion, the Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer announced today.

The game, to kick off at 7:00 p.m. at Robertson Stadium, will pit the teams with last year’s top two regular-season records against each other. Houston is 1-1-1 all-time in MLS openers but 1-0-2 in MLS home openers.

The full Major League Soccer schedule will be released in January. The Dynamo will begin their 2009 season with a quarterfinal series in the CONCACAF Champions League, playing at home February 24-26 and on the road March 3-5.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first three seasons and represented the United States in three consecutive regional championships.