Dynamo look for threepeat over Austin FC: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo will head west to the state capital to take on Austin FC tonight. Houston has beaten Austin twice this season at Shell Energy Stadium and will look to finish off the season sweep tonight at Q2 Stadium. The Dynamo are coming off a 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes Wednesday night. Austin also played on Wednesday, beating FC Dallas 3-0.
When: Saturday, June 2 | 8:39 PM CT kickoff
Where: Q2 Stadium; Austin, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: ESPN 97.5 FM (English), TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Heat is on
It’s full on summer in Texas, and it’s hot. Duh, right? With temperature readings over 100, tonight’s match was moved back an hour, now scheduled to kick off at 8:39 PM. Both Houston and Austin had weather delays in their matches Wednesday as storms rolled through the state, so an extra hour of rest can’t hurt. The heat won’t keep the Austin fans away, and the Dynamo know they’re up for a tough challenge, outside of the heat. “We’re looking forward to playing in a great environment in Austin,” Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen said Friday. “I’ve been there once or twice, and it's just a great addition to the league – the atmosphere and the building. Our spirits are high,
and we need to make sure we're not too high. We understand that we have a really tough challenge ahead of us.”
Next man up
Midfielder Coco Carrasquilla finished his time with Panama in the Nations League but is continuing with them for the Gold Cup. With Carrasquilla gone for at least another couple of weeks, the Dynamo will have to replace his all-around quality in the midfield. Amine Bassi’s move to a more central position helps, as he can slot into a three-man midfield with Artur and Hector Herrera, with Corey Baird, Nelson Quinones, and Aliyu Ibrahim up front. Olsen knows he has a roster of guys ready to step in and find the right combination to keep the good form going. “Next man up has been how we've rolled for most of the season,” Olsen said. “Again, just finding the right group to get out there and do a job depending on energy and depending on the opponent and how we see the game playing out.”
Third time the charm
Is the third time the charm for Austin against the Dynamo this season? Houston has taken care of their neighbors to the west twice this season and this is the last chance for the Verde to take points off the Dynamo this season. Austin has struggled this season, crashing out of the Champions League and Lamar Hunt US Open Cup early and currently sit in 8th in the Western Conference. They are, however, coming off a big 3-0 win over the other Texas team on Wednesday so their confidence will be high. The Dynamo are also in good form and they know what they’re up against tonight. “We’ve seen them a couple of times already,” defender Daniel Steres said yesterday. “We got a good picture of the type of team they are. We’re feeling good right now and looking to go get a good result at a tough place.”
Availability Report
Houston Dynamo - Out: Ifunanyachi Achara (knee), Teenage Hadebe (leg), Tate Schmitt (knee), Coco Carrasquilla (international duty)
Austin FC – Out: Žan Kolmanič (right ACL), Leo Väisänen (right LCL), Alex Ring (right groin)
Predicted Lineup
