Dynamo face tough test in Canada before Leagues Cup: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo finish their West Coast swing tonight as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada. Houston won midweek, getting a late Daniel Steres goal to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0. Vancouver won 2-1 on Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City.
When: Saturday, July 20 | 9:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: BC Place; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Ponce Ready to Pounce
The long wait is over for new Designated Player Ezequiel Ponce as the Argentine is now eligible to play tonight. Ponce has been training with the club and should be ready to step in immediately. Head coach Ben Olsen said earlier this week that he has no plans to play Ponce and Sebas Ferreira together. With the Dynamo paying a record fee to acquire Ponce, it should come as no surprise that he will be the preferred striker of the two. Will Ponce start tonight, is the big question. If he doesn’t start, he should definitely feature at some point and give Dynamo fans a glimpse of their new star. Winger Lawrence Ennal was officially signed on Thursday and if you watched Wednesday’s game you saw him celebrating in the crowd after the goal, meaning he is on the road trip. It could be a double debut night for the Dynamo.
Road Sweet Road?
Would you believe, the Dynamo have more wins on the road this season than they do at Shell Energy Stadium in MLS play? Houston picked up it’s fifth win of 2024 on Wednesday, in 12 road matches. Only tonight’s opponent, Vancouver, has more in the Western Conference. What has made this team so successful on the road after years of barely being able to get one win in a season away from home? We talked about it last season but this team was built by Pat Onstad to be a collection of players who have been winners in their career and veterans who are unflappable. Their fortitude is showing this season. In Wednesday’s match they were frustrated for nearly 90 minutes before veteran Daniel Steres came off the bench to score the winner. These are the qualities great teams show, and this Dynamo side is starting to show they have what it takes to be considered in those conversations.
Great White No(r)t(h)
By all accounts, Vancouver is a beautiful city. It hasn’t been so welcoming to the Houston Dynamo, however. Houston has never won in Vancouver and conceded six goals in their trip last season, losing 6-2. Star attackers Brian White and Ryan Gauld have comined for 21 goals and 10 assists this season. Former Dynamo man Fafa Picault has found himself at home in Vancouver (even with rumors that he wants to be traded to the East Coast), with six goals and three assists in 2024. Vancouver currently sit in fourth place in the Western Conference but are just four points ahead of Houston. A win tonight could not only exorcise some demons, but help the Dynamo continue to climb the table.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Nelson Quinones (knee)
Vancouver Whitecaps – Out: Joe Bendik (back), Tristan Blackmon (groin), Mathias Laborda (ankle)
Predicted Lineup
