Dynamo try to extend win streak with trip to San Jose: What to watch for

(image via Houston Dynamo FC/Twitter)

The Houston Dynamo will look to extend their two-match winning streak as they now take to the road to visit the San Jose Earthquakes. Houston is coming off a 1-0 win last Saturday over New York City FC. San Jose played Toronto FC to a 0-0 draw their last time out.

When: Saturday, April 1 | 9:39 PM CT kickoff

Where: PayPal Park; San Jose, California

TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV - free

Radio: 93.3 FM (Spanish)

Jekyll and Hyde

You know how Jekyll and Hyde the Dynamo can be as far as their home and road form. That has been evident again this season. Houston went on the road for their first two matches of 2023 and lost both. They returned home for their next two, and got two wins. Now the team returns to the road and will look to buck that trend. Head coach Ben Olsen spoke this week about the team having the right mentality away from home.

"It's been a little bit since we've been back on the road,” Olsen said yesterday in his weekly press conference. “We're looking forward to this opportunity to try to get something out of a road game. One, we weren't able to get anything out of Cincinnati and New England, and we've put a lot of emphasis on our home games. Making sure we get maximum points there. The other part of this is going away and having the right mentality. Being able to make the plays that matter on the road. We got here an extra day early to get settled, we will train today and hopefully put ourselves in a good spot against a good team."

Depth brings confidence

General manager Pat Onstad and the Dynamo front office have been rebuilding this Dynamo roster and one of the important things they have wanted to do is put together a squad with depth. This has been evident early this season. Coco Carrasquilla was on international duty last week and homegrown Brooklyn Raines stepped in for his first MLS start. Brad Smith and Franco Escobar have been injured and players like Tate Schmitt and Daniel Steres have played key roles in 2023. Steres spoke this week about the team’s depth and the confidence it gives them.

"It gives the team confidence that they can rely on the guys behind them and hopefully they'll help us,” Steres said. “Going forward into the attack as well, they know we're back there and we can take care of it. It's something just to build on early in the season and it's nice to get that. We're going to try to get that get that going as the week continues here. But we know they are a good side. They have a lot of good players. They're a strong team in the attack, so we got to be ready for it.”

Another formidable attack

In the first four matches of the season for the Dynamo, Houston has played some very formidable attacks. They started with Cincinnati, then moved on to New England, Austin, and New York City, four teams with very good players that can create and score goals. You may not look at San Jose as a team like that, they have just four goals in five matches, but they have the players in their attack that can make you pay if you aren’t prepared. The Dynamo will likely see a front three of Cristian Espinoza, Jeremy Ebobisse, and Cade Cowell in some configuration. Espinoza is a dangerous creator who can also find goals for himself. Ebobisse and Cowell bring tons of pace to the Quakes attack and can get in behind any back line. The Dynamo defense has done well with two straight clean sheets and will once again need to be at their best, this time in a road environment.

Availability Report

Houston Dynamo - Out: Brad Smith (knee), Ifunanyachi Achara (knee)

San Jose Earthquakes – Out: Daniel (knee), Nathan (ACL), Niko Tsakiris (adductor); Questionable: Carlos Gruezo (hamstring)

Predicted Lineup