Houston Dynamo at St. Louis CITY SC - Staff picks
(image via Houston Dynamo FC)
The Houston Dynamo are on the road to take on St. Louis CITY SC tonight in the first leg of Round One in the Concacaf Champions Cup. We asked our staff to weigh in on how they see the Dynamo and St. Louis playing out tonight.
Cristian - 2-1 St. Louis win
It’s the first game of the year for both teams, so I expect a conservative match due to the two-legged nature of this stage of the competition. I’ll give the edge to St. Louis just for the home-field advantage.
Rudy - 3-1 St. Louis win
The Houston Dynamo had a very successful year in 2023. However, many of the key players that helped the team last season are currently out due to injuries or off the field issues. Hector Herrera, Nelson Quinones, Amine Bassi, and Luis Caicedo are all dealing with something to keep them out of this match. The last time that Houston played in CITYPARK the team was beaten 3-0. The scoreline looked worse than the play on the field, with some of the names mentioned above in Ben Olsen’s starting eleven that day. International competitions are a different atmosphere and I think that St. Louis fans will give their team the extra push tonight.
Manny - 2-2 draw
This is the first official match for both teams after completing their preseason. It’s going be a tough match for both teams trying to find rhythm and match fitness ahead of the season. Many mistakes will happen for both sides. There are more questions for the Dynamo. Will Amine Bassi be available? Who will replace Hector Herrera and Nelson Quinones in the starting lineup? And, will this team continue their form from last year? The best result would be to get a draw away and bring it home for a greater chance to advance next week.
Joey - 1-1 draw
The Dynamo are a team that ended last year with incredible momentum, while St. Louis was the opposite. Neither team really improved their squads in the offseason, while the Dynamo may have gotten worse through some key injuries. Expect a boring, low-scoring draw while both teams try to figure out what their identity will be this season.
Billy - 2-1 St. Louis win
As we head into another year of this mighty rebuild, there are a plethora of unknowns and setbacks the Houston Dynamo must navigate to be properly prepared for what is to come. With a lineup that is missing several key pieces for numerous reasons, the major questions and concerns remain. How will the Dynamo find production while buried amongst the wilds of their offseason?
I envision a slower start to the season while the Dynamo find their sea legs and patiently await the return of their captain Hector Herrera. One thing is for sure, players will have an opportunity to step up for Ben Olsen and the Dynamo. Buckle up, Houston! It's go time!
Gribbs - 1-1 draw
It's difficult to measure these clubs so early into the new year. The Dynamo will have a tough task in getting a positive result on the road with several key injuries holding them back. Still, I think this one will be a grind for both sides leading to defenses leading the way in a low scoring draw which could be a great outcome before the next leg in Houston.
Dustyn - 2-1 St. Louis win
Playing your first match at a raucous CITYPARK is a tall order for any team, especially one missing some key pieces. With Nelson Quinones and Hector Herrera injured and Amine Bassi’s status up in the air as he awaits a green card, the Dynamo will have to have a collective effort from whoever Ben Olsen sends out. The Dynamo will not want to fall behind too much in this first of two legs with aggregate scoring. If they can keep it close tonight and come home to Shell Energy Stadium next week only down a goal, they will have a great chance at advancing.
