Dynamo look to right the ship in the derby: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo will look to stop a two-match losing streak as they head north for the first Texas Derby of 2023. Houston is coming off a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United on Wednesday. FC Dallas won on Wednesday, beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1.
When: Saturday, May 20 | 7:39 PM CT kickoff
Where: Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Rivalry renewed
The Dynamo come into this game in poor form, on the back of two straight losses, but all that changes when you play a derby. Dallas, on the other hand, has been in good form and will look to deal another blow to their in-state rival. Having played mid-week adds a little different element to this version of the derby. “There’s not a big lead up into this game, so there’s a little bit of a change in that,” Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen said Friday. “There’s a whole week leading into some of these derby games. Right now, it’s really learning from the game before, turning the page and focusing on the next opponent every few days.” If the Dynamo want to lay down a marker in this “new era” there would be no better way to do it than with a win in Frisco.
Containing Jesús
While the Dynamo’s striker named Ferreira has been non-existent this season, the same can’t be said for Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira. The young American striker was named to the World Cup squad in November and has returned to MLS in scintillating form. His 8 goals have him as an early contendor for Most Valuable Player. Olsen knows the Dynamo are going to have to do all they can to keep him quiet. “He’s always in good form. That’s what it seems like over the last year-and-a-half,” Olsen told the media. “He’s so effective because he does so much. Defensively, he’s got a really good sense of timing and how to shape the game. On the other side, he understands where the space is. When the ball turns over, he is an option in the midfield to come underneath and be kind of that nine-and-a-half, but he is also so complete and able to get behind with his timing to put himself in good positions beyond the centerbacks. Then just his quality comes through. The first touch to put himself in a shooting position, and then the hard part is touching the net, and he has that as well. He’s very complete. We’ll stay around him, keep tight and make sure we get hands on him in the box. We’ll make sure midfielders understand that when he’s coming in, to overload in the center of the park. That’s usually an okay thing if he goes back and back and needs to get his touches. The real worry is when he’s 18-yards-and-in and what he can do, whether it’s being on the end of service or creating his own shot. He's very well-rounded, and a forward that has high quality.”
Buses on the way
Dynamo fans are boarding buses this afternoon to head to Frisco, a tradition as old as the rivalry. Houston, most memorably won their first MLS Cup in Frisco in front of a sea of orange. Dynamo fans will once again be looking to give the players a lift, something that means a lot to the coaches and squad. “It means a lot to us to see some orange in the crowd. Even if it’s a few,” Olsen said when talking about the traveling fans. “We were just in Minnesota, and we saw a few orange shirts. The players and the organization appreciate it. This is a different animal. It’s a trip that’s doable. The message is that it helps. Every person that comes to support us gives us a little bit more energy, and we’re thankful for the ones that make the trip. If they don’t, that’s okay too. Watch the game and give us good energy from afar.”
Availability Report
Houston Dynamo – Out: Ifunanyachi Achara (knee), Teenage Hadebe (leg), Tate Schmitt (knee); Questionable: Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
FC Dallas – Out: Paul Arriola (right thigh), Geovane Jesus (hamstring), Sebastian Lletget (right thigh), Tarik Scott (season ending injury); Questionable: Maarten Paes (thorax), Paxton Pomykal (left quad)
Predicted Lineup
