Dynamo look for second straight win with NYCFC in town: What to watch for

(image via Houston Dynamo FC/Twitter)

The Houston Dynamo will look to make it two wins in a row as New York City FC comes to Shell Energy Stadium tonight. Houston comes into this match after beating Austin FC 2-0 in last weekend’s home opener. New York City also won at home last Saturday, beating D.C. United 3-2.

When: Saturday, March 25 | 7:39 PM CT kickoff

Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas

TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Radio: 97.5 FM (English), 93.3 FM (Spanish)

Momentum

Last weekend’s big win in the home opener, against a rival, was needed in more ways that one. It ended the team’s two-match losing streak to the season and gave the Dynamo their first three points of 2023. It was also a win in front of a big crowd in a rivalry match, the kind of win that can help spur the team forward. The next match is here and the Dynamo will look to keep the momentum going with a strong New York City FC team in town. Head coach Ben Olsen spoke to the media this week about just how important the first win was and continuing to build on that.

“Good energy this week,” Olsen said. “Getting the first win was important, obviously. Now it is about continuing to push and get better and prepare for New York City. For a team that has been as good as anybody in this league for the last three or four years. A brave squad who always bring a load of talent on the offensive end. A tough team to prepare for in some of the improv and some of the attack-minded players, some of their qualities, you know, tough to prepare for. They have a winning culture. We have a lot of work to do, but it's a challenge that we're looking forward to. It's nice to be home again. We just have another day of prepping and ready to go.” 

No Coco

Houston will be without midfielder Coco Carrasquilla tonight as he is with Panama on international duty. Carrasquilla is a key cog in the lineup and in a three-man Dynamo midfield that has been a strong point for the team early in 2023. With Coco unavailable, Olsen could look to move Amine Bassi back in the midfield and bring Sebas Ferreira back into the starting eleven. Or, Olsen could make a like for like switch and bring in a midfielder like Luis Caicedo to replace Carrasquilla. However the Dynamo line up, they will definitely miss their Panamanian midfielder. Olsen knows this but also knows it is a chance for other players to step up.

“Look, Coco is not a player you want to miss or not have in your lineup,” Olsen told the media this week. “He's a crucial piece to what we're doing here. A big-time player on both sides of the ball. The way he can start transitions for us, his ground coverage, winning duels and helping us with possession. He does a lot of work defensively for us and pressing, he has a good read on it. Now he's gone – the international break is here, and you just deal with it. It's an opportunity for someone else to come in and fill his void. It's a void to fill. Every team is dealing with something, in some ways we're lucky to just have one player missing. Looking at other teams in MLS, some have two or some teams have five or six. Coco's, again, he's not replaceable necessarily, but it's opportunity for someone else.” 

Pigeons flying in

New York City FC comes in to tonight’s match after a big win at Yankee Stadium last week. The team has gone through some overhaul recently but this is still a very strong team. Brazilian attackers Talles Magno and Gabriel Pereira will be a handful for the Dynamo defense. The double pivot of Keaton Parks and James Sands, just back from a loan with Rangers in Scotland, will be difficult for the Houston midfield to break down. If there is an area to exploit in NYCFC it will likely be their back line. Center back Maxime Chanot is out on international duty and his absence will be big for the away side. The Dynamo will look to take advantage of a makeshift center back pairing and try and get their strikers in behind for some goal-scoring opportunities.

Availability Report

Houston Dynamo - Out: Brad Smith (left knee), Adalberto Carrasquilla (international duty), Juan Castilla (international duty), Xavier Valdez (international duty); Questionable: Franco Escobar (lower body injury)

New York City FC – Out: Maxime Chanot (international duty), Mitja Ilenic (international duty)

Predicted Lineup