Houston Dynamo FC return to league play on Saturday when they host the reigning MLS Cup champions, LAFC. This is the first of two matches against LAFC in a four-day stretch, Houston will travel to BMO Stadium on Wednesday, June 14 to face the Concacaf Champions League finalists.
The Dynamo look to build on their recent road victory in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Houston defeated the Chicago Fire 4-1 and advanced to the semifinals of the tournament. Three Dynamo players scored for the team on Tuesday including Nelson Quiñónes, who won the penalty kick for the opening goal of the game. The 22-year-old scored the fourth goal of the game and his first for the Club in all competitions. Aliyu Ibrahim scored a brace and has now scored three goals for the Dynamo since joining the team in early May.
Defensively, Micael and Erik Sviatchenko combined for 11 clearances against the Fire. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell finished with four saves on Tuesday and that was the first goal he conceded in 310 minutes of competitive play this year.
The Dynamo have won seven of the nine matches played at Shell Energy Stadium this year in all competitions. The team has conceded two goals in seven regular season games, the best mark in the league. Saturday’s game will be the first without head coach Ben Olsen, who will serve a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
LAFC look to bounce back after returning to league play on Wednesday against Atlanta United FC. The reigning MLS Cup champions forced eight saves from Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan and tallied 22 shots in the game but were held scoreless in their second consecutive game at home in the last four days. LAFC fell 1-0 to Club León in the final of the Concacaf Champions League on Sunday.
The Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium on June 21 to host the San Jose Earthquakes for 713 Night. Tickets for the match start at $7 and fans can enjoy $3 beers and $1 hot dogs.
