Dynamo try to find home form in visit from LAFC
(image via Ricky Vega)
The Houston Dynamo will try and turn around their dreadful form at Shell Energy Stadium as they take on LAFC tonight. The Dynamo have played three games at home this season and lost all three of them. LAFC is coming off a midweek win over Inter Miami, 1-0, in Concacaf Champions Cup play.
When: Saturday, April 5 | 7:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Jack’s Journey
Midfielder Jack McGlynn is still learning and growing into this Dynamo team. He have seen his gifted left foot with a couple of assists this season, but he has also made some costly mistakes. Head coach Ben Olsen said on Friday that McGlynn is still learning to play in the double pivot that Houston uses, and all the defensive responsibilities that come with that. It’s important to remember that McGlynn is just 21 years old. He has played well this season but can play a lot better, and that’s something that should be exciting to watch.
Defensive Consistency
Ever since the news broke of Micael’s departure, there were questions about how big a hole he would leave in the Houston back line. Now in April, we are seeing that, combined with injuries putting a huge dent in the defense. Ethan Bartlow and Erik Sviatchenko have missed time and the Dynamo are now on their third goalkeeper this season. Sviatchenko is off the injury report this week, meaning he should be ready to go from the start tonight. Sviatchenko’s return will be huge, but maybe even more importantly, the Dynamo can start to get a consistent group on defense to continue gelling together.
Trap Game for LAFC?
Tonight’s match falls right in the middle of LAFC’s Concacaf Champions Cup series against Inter Miami. LAFC won at home on Wednesday and will travel to Miami after tonight’s match for the second leg. Will we see a full strength lineup for the visitors? It seems unlikely. How much and where LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo rotates remains to be seen but the Dynamo need to take advantage of a LAFC squad that will likely not be at full strength.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Lawrence Ennali (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee), Duane Holmes (lower leg), Andrew Tarbell (knee), Jimmy Maurer (lower body); Questionable: Ethan Bartlow (lower body)
LAFC – Out: Igor Jesus (red card suspension), Lorenzo Dellavalle (thigh), Jeremy Ebobisse (leg)
Predicted Lineup
