Houston Dynamo FC close a two-game homestand on Saturday as they host FC Dallas for the 50th edition of the Texas Derby in all competitions. This is the first of two matches against in-state rivals this month as the Dynamo travel to the state capital on Tuesday to face Austin FC.
Tonight’s match is the first opportunity for fans to watch Hector Herrera on the field at PNC Stadium. The captain of the Mexican National Team reported to Houston Sports Park on Friday, July 1 for his first training session with the team. Herrera joins the Dynamo after three seasons with Atletico de Madrid in Spain where he won the league title in 2021 and led the squad to quarterfinals of the most recent edition of the UEFA Champions League.
The Dynamo look to split the two-game homestand following last Saturday’s loss to Charlotte FC. Forward Fafa Picault scored for the Dynamo late in the second half to bring Houston within one goal of earning a draw. Forward Darwin Quintero tallied his second assist of the season on that play and he currently leads the team in goals scored during regular season play with seven.
Houston enters Saturday’s game with a 10-4-8 record at home against FC Dallas. The Dynamo won the series in 2021 with a 1-0-2 (WLD) record and the lone victory of the series came in a 3-2 triumph at PNC Stadium on Sept. 18. Goals from Darwin Quintero, Fafa Picault and Griffin Dorsey earned Houston their eighth series victory over Dallas and marked the return of El Capitán, a replica 18th century mountain howitzer cannon, to PNC Stadium. With a victory tonight the Dynamo would retain El Capitán for a second consecutive year and split the regular season series after a late second half rally led to a 2-1 victory for Dallas at home on April 23.
FC Dallas settled for a 1-1 draw with Inter Miami CF on Monday evening at home and look for their first victory since a 3-1 triumph on the road against Orlando City SC. Since then FC Dallas has gone winless in their last four games with draws against Miami, Austin FC and they dropped three points against Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Los Angeles Football Club.
The Dynamo face a quick turnaround as they travel to the state capital on Tuesday to face Austin FC. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 8 p.m. CT and fans can follow the action live on TUDN and Univision. An English stream will be available on ESPN 97.5 FM. The Dynamo return to PNC Stadium on Saturday, July 23 to host Minnesota United FC.
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s game:
- TEXAS DERBY HITS MILESTONE: Houston and Dallas will meet for the 50th edition of the Texas Derby on Sunday and Houston will look to split the series after dropping the first meeting of the regular season. The series is currently tied at 8-8 with each team winning the regular season series eight times. Houston looks to build on their home record in the regular season against Dallas and enter with a 10-4-8 record in the Bayou City against Dallas.
- FERREIRA LOOKS FOR TWO-STEP: Dynamo forward Sebas Ferreira has scored against both in-state rivals this season looks to replicate that on Saturday against FC Dallas. He is the second Dynamo player to score against both in-state rivals in the same season after Fafa Picault reached that mark in 2021. Ferreira has scored six goals in his first season with the Dynamo, but none more memorable than his strike from midfield against Austin FC. His first goal against an in-state opponent was a week before as he scored the go-ahead goal against Dallas in Frisco.
- HERRERA SUITS UP FOR HOUSTON: Hector Herrera will be eligible to make his debut on Saturday in what is expected to be a sold-out PNC Stadium for the Texas Derby. The captain of the Mexican National Team was presented to fans last Sunday as more than 19,000 fans welcomed Herrera to the Bayou City. If he appears, this will be the first competitive match for Herrera since he suited up for Mexico on June 5 against Ecuador, that was his 100th appearance for El Tri.
