Houston Dynamo hit the road looking for first points of 2025
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dynamo lost two straight home matches to open the season and now hit the road for their first away match of 2025. An away match with the Columbus Crew beckons as Houston looks for its first points of the season.
When: Saturday, March 8 | 1:40 PM CT kickoff
Where: Lower.com Field; Columbus, Ohio
TV/Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: TUDN Deportes Houston 93.3 FM (Spanish)
Road Improvements
For years the Dynamo were a bad team away from home. Some would even say they were dreadful. That changed last season when Houston won 8 of 17 MLS matches away from Shell Energy Stadium in 2024. The Dynamo even got a draw in Columbus last season, in Concacaf Champions Cup play. This afternoon will be the first test for the 2025 Dynamo on the road and it won’t be an easy one. Judging by how the first two home matches went, maybe being away from Shell Energy Stadium for a weekend isn’t so bad.
Possession Makes Perfect
Sunday’s loss to Inter Miami was the first time in 27 regular season matches that the Dynamo did not have more possession than their opponent. Houston thrives on having the ball and keeping the game in their hands. Miami was able to flip the script and Columbus will look to do the same. The Crew are the one team in MLS who possesses the ball more than the Dynamo and Ben Olsen spoke Friday about how they will look to do that in today’s match as well. Trying something different, allowing Columbus to have the ball and trying to hit them on counters, could be a recipe for success.
New Crew
Columbus’ three-headed monster of Cucho Hernandez, Cristian Ramirez, and Diego Rossi is down to just one in 2025. Hernandez was sold to Real Betis in Spain and Ramirez is now a member of the LA Galaxy. Rossi, who is ultra-talented in scoring and setting up his teammates is not alone, however. Young Canadian striker Jacen Russell-Rowe is growing into a very solid player and provides a nice compliment for Rossi. The Dynamo have allowed six goals in their first two matches and now face what could be another dangerous attack.
Houston Dynamo – Out: Lawrence Ennali (knee), Nelson Quinones (knee); Questionable: Erik Sviatchenko (lower body)
Columbus Crew – Out: Rudy Camacho (thigh), Nicholas Hagen (hand); Questionable: Lassi Lappalainen (thigh), Taha Habroune (thigh)
Predicted Lineup
