Dynamo return to league play with trip to Atlanta: What to watch for
(image via Gustavo Trevino)
The Houston Dynamo return to MLS play after the international window with a trip to Georgia for a meeting with Atlanta United. Houston picked up a point in a draw with Portland Timbers before the break. Atlanta has just one win in their last eleven league matches and fired their head coach, Gonzalo Pineda, heading into the two weeks off. They will now look to jump-start a new era under interim head coach Rob Valentino against the Dynamo.
When: Saturday, June 15 | 6:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Georgia
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Back from Summer Camp
Ok, the Dynamo weren’t away at summer camp but they did get some much-needed time off. Some players were with their national teams but for the most part, the guys got to rest and recover. Head coach Ben Olsen said Friday that they’re the healthiest they’ve been all season with just Nelson Quinones listed as out. Olsen said they had to make some tough decisions for the 20 players who will feature on the match day roster, something they haven’t had the luxury of doing this season.
New Nine in Town
Sebastian Ferreira looks ready to return from another injury but, his job could be in the process of being taken from him. Reports surfaced this week that the Dynamo are in talks with Argentine striker Ezequiel Ponce, who currently plays for AEK Athens in Greece. Olsen was coy on the rumors when asked Friday, smiling and suggesting he’d never heard of Ponce. He then said he is a player that they have looked at and will have to wait and see if a deal can be done. People we have talked to have suggested the transfer fee is in the neighborhood of $8 million, which would be the largest in club history. The MLS transfer window doesn’t open until July 18, so there is time for this deal to get to the finish line before Ponce puts on an orange (or purple) jersey.
ATL in Transformation
Atlanta United has been a contender in MLS ever since they joined the league. They looked to be that again in 2024 before hitting the skids. With just one win in eleven league matches, Gonzalo Pineda was relieved of his head coaching duties and Rob Valentino will take charge of his first match as interim. Atlanta is going through some change on the field as DP striker Georgios Giakoumakis looks close to joining Cruz Azul in LigaMX. While Atlanta is going through some changes, they still have firepower, most notably with World Cup winner Thiago Almada. The Argentine, along with Jamal Thiare can give the Dynamo fits when Atlanta attacks and the Houston defense will be at their best to try and keep the playmaker at bay.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Nelson Quinones (knee); Questionable: McKinze Gaines (lower body)
Atlanta United – Out: Luis Abram (international duty), Stian Gregersen (hamstring), Saba Lobjanidze (international duty), Bartosz Slisz (international duty); Questionable: Tyler Wolff (knee)
Predicted Lineup
