USOC champs return home for Texas Derby: What to watch for
(image via Billy Mears)
The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup champions return to Shell Energy Stadium tonight to host the latest installment of the Texas Derby. The Dynamo are coming off that big 2-1 win over Inter Miami on Wednesday night that saw them crowned champions. FC Dallas also played on Wednesday night, drawing 1-1 with the Philadelphia Union in a league match.
When: Saturday, September 30 | 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)
The champs are here
Tonight’s derby comes with a little added silverware after the Dynamo lifted the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup trophy Wednesday night. The trophy will be on display and a pre-game ceremony is to be expected. What good is winning a trophy if you can’t rub it in to your rivals, right? The champions have to rebound quickly now, and wipe the beer from their eyes. “We are tired but happy, and that's how you should be after a night like that,” head coach Ben Olsen told the media Thursday. “We got back a little later than usual, but it was just a great night for the club, the players, the staff, the city of Houston and our fans. We’re just thrilled to hold the trophy. You always want to win and hold silverware. At the start of this year, did we expect to be in a position to do that? I don't know. In some ways it was a building year, and we wanted to get a real foundation set, but things in this tournament sped up, and it gave us an opportunity to win and push this process to go a little faster. Again, we’re just thrilled to do that and get a little get a little publicity and some good press around the club.” The may be a little tired but coming into a derby after winning a trophy will be a good feeling to ride into the match.
Playoffs on the horizon
All season, the Dynamo staff and players have preached that the goal for this season is making the playoffs. After winning the Open Cup, that goal has not changed, even with some silverware already in the trophy case. Having a quick turn around won’t be easy but with a rival in town, it should make getting up for the game a little easier. “It’s a rival,” Olsen said about shifting the focus to FC Dallas. “It’s our biggest game of the year. That’s the reality. They’re hungry, and they're looking to move up in the same way we are. We are all desperate to get into the postseason. It's very tight in the Western Conference, maybe as tight as it's been a long time.” Every point matters and with a win and some other scenarios, the Dynamo could even clinch a postseason berth. But first things first, beating FC Dallas.
Desperate Dallas
FC Dallas comes into tonight’s game in the ninth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Dallas is just two points ahead of Sporting Kansas City but do have a game in hand on them. While the Dynamo have a chance at clinching a playoff spot, Dallas would want nothing more than solidifying their position in the table by winning the derby. Dallas had to play on Wednesday, like the Dynamo, so they won’t be as rested as they could have been. Can FCD find the keys to unlocking the Dynamo and winning El Capitan? Or, can the Dynamo keep the Hell in the Shell a fortress and climb to the doorstep of playoff soccer.
Availability Report
Houston Dynamo – Out: Ifunanyachi Achara (knee), Tate Schmitt (knee), Luis Caicedo (yellow card accumulation), Griffin Dorsey (yellow card accumulation); Questionable: Amine Bassi (lower body)
FC Dallas – Out: Geovane Jesus (knee), Tarik Scott (knee), Sebastian Lletget (hamstring)
Predicted Lineup
