Dynamo host RSL in USOC semifinal: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo are back at Shell Stadium tonight to resume play in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Houston are one of four teams remaining with Real Salt Lake in town as tonight’s opposition. The winner of tonight’s match will take on the winner of the other semifinal between Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati. The Dynamo are coming off a big 5-0 win over the Portland Timbers Sunday night. RSL did not play this past weekend after their game against LA Galaxy was rescheduled because of Hurricane Hilary.
When: Wednesday, August 23 | 8:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: CBS Sports Golazo, NBC Universo
Radio: ESPN 97.5 FM (English), Futbol de Primera (Spanish)
A massive opportunity
There is no denying the importance of tonight’s match for the Dynamo. As this club continues to rebuild from the dark years of the past, winning and relevance helps that in an immense way. If Miami were to beat Cincinnati, a cup final against Lionel Messi would go a long way in giving the Dynamo respect and getting their name out there. But that’s something to worry about another day. The Dynamo had a chance to book a meeting with Messi and company in Leagues Cup and let it slip away. Ben Olsen and the players know the task at hand. It’s one step at a time, just like the rebuild of the club, they have to take it one step at a time and live in the now. “Anytime you get three points in the league you’re a hair more relaxed, but the message has been to fight that and understand that this is a massive opportunity for us,” Olsen said yesterday. “Any type of complacency would be ridiculous. I don't get that sense with this group. They understand the opportunity and the task that we have tomorrow.”
Alpha-Omega
If the Dynamo can win tonight, they’ll travel to Ohio or Florida for the final. So, tonight’s match is the last chance for the fans in Houston to see this Open Cup run. It’s mid-week, it’s hot, school just started for a lot of families, but the home crowd advantage is going to be crucial tonight. It seems to always be a huge plus for the Dynamo in most matches and in a cup semifinal, that takes on even more importance. “From a player's perspective, from my perspective, I think the synergy between players and fans is Alpha-Omega,” defender Erik Sviatchenko said when asked about a message to the fans. “It's something that means so much to the players. So that's why I'm really urging people to get their friends and families and get to the stadium. My dream is that it's a sold-out stadium. It's been a while since there has been a sold-out stadium. If right now is not the time to be at Shell Energy Stadium with a game of this magnitude, it never will be. I really hope for a full stadium tomorrow. It’s going to be amazing, and it's going to help carry us towards that final that we want to be a part of. History is made not by only us players, it’s made by the fans, too. So, let's get together and get that stadium full.”
Rested Royals
We’ve talked about this before in match previews, the old adage of rest vs rust. It pops up again for tonight’s match with the Dynamo having played on Saturday and Real Salt Lake not playing a match since August 8. If ever there was a time to play a match on short rest, it would be the situation the Dynamo are currently in, coming off a 5-0 win that was relatively easy. How will RSL respond to their layoff? “I have no idea (the impact that will have),” Olsen said when asked about RSL not playing for two weeks. “They’re fresh. They've been able to prepare for us for a while. We had the game in front of them. It’s rhythm versus energy. Who knows what they've been doing to prepare. (RSL head coach) Pablo (Mastroeni) is a smart guy, and I'm sure he's got his team well prepared and doing the things that they need to do over the last couple of weeks to keep their guys sharp. It’s a great opportunity for us.”
Availability Report
Houston Dynamo – Out: Ifunanyachi Achara (knee), Teenage Hadebe (leg), Tate Schmitt (knee)
Real Salt Lake – Out: Zack Farnsworth (thigh), Pablo Ruiz (knee)
Predicted Lineup
