Dynamo visit snowy Massachusetts: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dynamo FC/Twitter)
The Houston Dynamo are on the road for the second straight week, this time visiting snowy New England to take on the Revolution. Houston comes into this match after dropping the season opener in Cincinnati 2-1.. New England won their first match of the season, beating Charlotte FC 1-0 last week.
When: Saturday, March 4 | 6:38 PM CT kickoff
Where: Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: 97.5 FM (English), 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Building on the opener
Losses are never a good thing but there are plenty of positives the Dynamo can take from their loss in Cincinnati. Hector Herrera showed just how world class he could be last week, assisting on Tate Schmitt’s goal and having the second most passes in Major League Soccer into the opposition’s box. Speaking of Schmitt, the third choice left back has taken his opportuinty and run with it. He had a fantastic training camp and scored on his Dynamo debut. Artur was also solid in his first match in orange, keeping Cincy playmaker Luciano Acosta quiet. There are things to improve, Sebas needs to find his shooting boots, but the Dynamo will take plenty from the Cincinnati match and look to build on it in New England.
The cold might bother me anyway
While the temperature is in the mid 70s in Houston with ample sunshine, it’s quite the opposite in Foxborough, Massachusetts where the Revolution play. It’s been snowing there since yesterday and The Weather Channel is saying the snow should end at 6:30 eastern, an hour before kickoff. Even without snow, it’s still going to be very cold with temperatures predicted to be 34 when the game gets underway. The Dynamo aren’t exactly used to playing in cold, nor are their contigency of Central and South American players. We might not get to see the orange ball MLS uses for snow matches but we should see plenty of long sleeves cand gloves. Can the Dynamo adapt and warm up quicky?
Revs Rebound
New England won the MLS Supporters’ Shield in 2021 but came crashing down to earth and missed the playoffs last season. The Revs are looking for a big rebound in 2023 and they’re off to a good start. Striker Gustavo Bou looks to miss this match but perennial MVP candidate Carles Gil will still be in the lineup, pulling all the strings. New England is very sound defensively starting with their holding midfield of Matt Polster and 17-year-old Noel Buck. The back four of DeJuan Jones, Dave Romney, Henry Kessler, and Brandon Bye is among the best in the league. Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic would have won Goalkeeper of the Year last year if he had played all season. Petrovic is an incredible shot-stopper and New England has not missed a beat in between the sticks after selling Matt Turner to Arsenal in the English Premier League.
Availability Report
Houston Dynamo - Out: Brad Smith (left knee); Questionable: Amine Bassi (lower extremity), Franco Escobar (lower extremity), Ifunanyachi Achara (pending documentation), Djevencio van der Kust (pending documentation)
New England Revolution – Out: Andrew Farrell (right leg), Nacho Gil (right leg), Tommy McNamara (left leg), Maciel (left achilles), Jacob Jackson (left ACL), Jack Panayotou (illness)
Predicted Lineup
