HOUSTON (Aug. 23, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC return to MLS action on Saturday, August 24, hosting Toronto FC at Shell Energy Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
Additionally, the Club will continue their Theme Night festivities by hosting Kids Day as a sendoff for the last days of summer and to celebrate Diesel’s birthday. Fans can find more information and purchase tickets for the match HERE.
Houston currently sits sixth in the Western Conference with a 10-7-7 (WLD) record and 37 points. The Dynamo have only lost once in their last 10 league matches, while finding the back of the net 22 times over that stretch.
Houston has 10 regular season matches remaining in the push for the playoffs, including six at home and seven versus opponents currently above the playoff line
When the Dynamo entered the MLS break for Leagues Cup, they were coming off a six-point road trip during which they defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4-3. The result marked the first time the Dynamo have won back-to-back road matches in the same season since 2013 after taking down the LA Galaxy and D.C. United in May.
The Dynamo continue to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season, even with a shuffling back line that has seen seven players start due to injuries. The team has allowed 30 goals this season, which is tied for the second fewest in the Western Conference. Houston also leads the Western Conference with 58.7 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
The Dynamo advanced to the Round of 32 in this year’s edition of Leagues Cup, winning their group over Real Salt Lake and Atlas FC before bowing out of the competition on a penalty shootout to Liga MX powerhouse Deportivo Toluca FC at Shell Energy Stadium. Two highlights from Leagues Cup were the debut of winger Lawrence Ennali and forward Ezequiel Ponce’s first-career goal for the Dynamo when he hammered a ball into the roof of the net versus Toluca.
Notably, the Dynamo are the only MLS team to earn the opportunity to play for four trophies this year (MLS Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup, U.S. Open Cup and Leagues Cup) thanks to a strong campaign in 2023 that saw the team lift the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and make a run to the Western Conference Final in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Additionally, Houston advanced further in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup than any team in the Western Conference.
Toronto enters Saturday’s sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 9-14-3 (WLD) record and 30 points. Like Houston, Toronto advanced to the Round of 32 after winning their Leagues Cup group over Pachuca and NY Red Bulls, before falling 4-3 to a 10-man Inter Miami FC in the Knockout Rounds in a wild match that saw a red card and seven goals, including two penalties and an own goal. In Toronto’s most recent MLS match before the break, they defeated their Candaian rivals, CF Montreal, 1-0 on the road behind a first-half goal from Richie Laryea.
Toronto’s squad features three dangerous attackers up front, including Italian internationals Federico Bernardeschi (eight goals and seven assists) and Lorenzo Insigne (four goals and seven assists), as well as Prince Owusu (six goals). The trio have combined for 18 goals and 14 assists so far this season.
Houston holds an 8-5-10 (WLD) all-time regular season record over Toronto, and Saturday will mark the first meeting between the two sides since 2019 when the Dynamo earned a 3-1 road victory. Toronto’s last trip to Houston came in 2018 when the Dynamo earned a 5-1 victory behind goals from Mauro Manotas, Leonardo, Eric Alexander, Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto.
One Dynamo roster note from this week is that Houston signed Honduran National Team attacker Exon Arzú on full transfer from Real C.D. España. The forward, who is currently injured, joined Dynamo 2 on loan ahead of the 2024 season. The 20-year-old is signed to a contract through 2026 with club options each year after that through 2029 and will occupy a U22 Initiative spot in 2024 as a Season-Ending Injury Replacement Player.
Houston next travels to LAFC on Saturday, Aug. 31, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT at BMO Stadium, before returning home to face them again on Saturday, Sept. 7.
