High-powered Whitecaps visit Dynamo for midweek clash: What to watch for
(image via Billy Mears)
The Houston Dynamo are back in league action tonight after a two-week international window to take on St. Louis CITY SC at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston last played on September 2, a 0-0 draw on the road against the LA Galaxy. St. Louis played the Galaxy on Sunday, drawing 2-2.
When: Wednesday, September 20 | 7:39 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: ESPN 97.5 FM (English), TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Bit of revenge
The Dynamo played Vancouver earlier this season on a Wednesday night in Vancouver. Houston conceded in the opening minute and then went ahead 2-1. They conceded again in the opening minute of the second half and went on to allow six goals in a 6-2 defeat. Now, Vancouver visits the Hell in the Shell and the Dynamo will look for some payback from their first meeting. “It was a bizarre game. We gave up a goal in a few seconds, fought our way back fairly quickly, and then they came back to tie it up before halftime. Then we gave up another goal right after halftime. I've never seen that in my life. Again, that’s a testament to them and what they can do to you. They can come direct, down your throat, and they bring a lot of numbers in their service. They are a handful, and they come at you quick. So, we'll have to be ready for all of that and continue to do what's been successful for us at home. That’s building in the right way, taking what's there, matching the energy and the fight of the opponent. We’re looking forward to getting back out there.”
Games piling up
The 2023 MLS season has seemed to be either a ton of games in a short amount of time or big periods of not playing, no in-between. The Dynamo are now in one of those “ton of games” periods. Starting with Saturday’s game against St. Louis, Houston will play seven matches in 22 days, including the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final. The good thing about playing games right after one another is there is no time to dwell on the bad, like giving up a late equalizer Saturday. “It’s a quick turnaround. We have a lot of games coming up. We had a good performance over the weekend, and there’s not much time to dwell on not getting three points. We’re looking to bounce back at home.” A home win tonight could send the team on the road in good form, including into that match up with Messi and friends.
They score goals ya know
Vancouver currently sit in 4th place in the Western Conference, just ahead of the Dynamo. They’ve scored 45 goals in 27 league matches and have the highest expected goals in all of Major League Soccer with 46.4. St. Louis leads the Western Conference in goals and the Dynamo defense was able to keep them scoreless for 87 minutes until a late equalizer. Houston will need more of the same against this potent Whitecaps lineup, a lineup that scored six on them earlier this season. They’ll have to do it without left back Franco Escobar who is suspended for yellow card accumulation (along with Coco Carrasquilla). Vancouver is one of two teams in the league that currently have double-digit goal scorers in Brian White (11) and Ryan Gauld (10). Gauld also has 9 assists. The Scotsman is dangerous in setting up and finishing an attack. Can the Dynamo keep their home fortress sound and hold another opponent off the scoresheet?
Availability Report
Houston Dynamo – Out: Ifunanyachi Achara (knee), Tate Schmitt (knee), Franco Escobar (suspension), Adalberto Carrasquilla (suspension)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Out: Luis Martins (calf), Thomas Hasal (knee); Questionable: Sam Adekugbe (knee)
Predicted Lineup
