Dynamo host MLS Cup champs in Champions Cup Round of 16: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo return to Concacaf Champions Cup play tonight, hosting the Columbus Crew in the first leg of their Round of 16 match up. Houston beat St. Louis in Round One to advance to this round. Columbus had a bye in Round One as MLS Cup champion. The Dynamo are coming off a 2-1 loss at home to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. The Crew gave up a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw on the road against Minnesota United, also on Saturday.
When: Wednesday, March 6 | 7:06 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: FS2 (English), ViX (Spanish)
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Help is on the way?
General manager Pat Onstad joined Soccer Matters with Glenn Davis this week and shared some unfortunate injury updates. With Nelson Quinones already out for the season, Onstad revealed that striker Sebas Ferreira is out another four weeks and captain Hector Herrera is still ”a couple months” from playing meaningful minutes. Head coach Ben Olsen said in his postgame press conference Saturday that he plays Aliyu Ibrahim as a striker because “I don’t have any other forwards”. With the injuries piling up and the depth being stretched to the limit, it looks like help could be on the way. MLSsoccer.com columnist Matt Doyle wrote on Sunday that his sources say to expect multiple signings from the Dynamo, including a Young DP, imminently. I have also heard from sources that a deal for a striker is nearly done. Onstad told Davis on his show that they are working on signings, but nothing is especially close, but they are looking to get some players over the line. At this point, the Dynamo need all the help they can get. They’re playing with a skeleton crew, with guys out of position, and now the reigning MLS Cup champions are coming to town…buckle up.
Polish sparkplug
Sebastian Kowalczyk has featured in every game so far this season for the Dynamo. The Polish attacker joined the club in the middle of the season last year and didn’t get much playing time. Now, fast forward to 2024, and Kowalczyk is the main man pulling the strings for Houston. Olsen spoke yesterday in his pre-match press conference how Kowalczyk getting minutes and being involved in the team this season has been a joy to see. He called Kowalczyk a “real glue piece” to the team and cited his ability to speak three languages making him important on the field and in the locker room. Amine Bassi is back from getting his green card and looking to get back into the lineup, but Kowalczyk gives Olsen a bit more of a threat in front of goal, a player that can create and also find the back of the net. There is still the possibility of Bassi and Kowalczyk playing together, and we may just see it tonight with the Dynamo needing a result before going to Columbus for the second leg next week.
Quite the Crew
The Columbus Crew won the 2023 MLS Cup for a reason, they’re very good. Yeah, that’s obvious, I know. But when you look at their roster, the amount of talent is scary. Olsen called their midfield duo of Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe as good as anyone in the league. He also spoke about the weapons they have on the wing and up front. Cucho Hernandez, Diego Rossi, and Alexandru Matan can score from anywhere and former Dynamo Christian Ramirez is a threat any time he comes off the bench. The question now will be, how much rotation will Columbus put out tonight in their lineup. The Crew play this weekend, where the Dynamo do not, ahead of the second leg. This is also Columbus’ first Champions Cup match so it could be a chance for them to get some rotation guys some minutes. Whoever takes the pitch in yellow tonight, they’re going to be dangerous.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Sebastian Ferreira (hamstring), Hector Herrera (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee)
Columbus Crew – Out: Mohamed Farsi (lower leg); from Columbus availability report on March 1
Predicted Lineup
