Houston Dynamo FC return to PNC Stadium on Sunday to host MLS newcomers Charlotte FC. This is the second opponent from the Eastern Conference to visit the Bayou City in the last eight days following a 2-0 victory for Houston over Chicago Fire FC last Saturday.
Houston looks to bounce back at home after a second half rally fell short in Portland on Wednesday evening. The Dynamo fell 2-1 against the Timbers, who finished the match with 10 players after Bill Tuiloma was ejected for a foul late in the second half on Sebas Ferreira. Houston finished with 24 shots and six on target on Wednesday, holding most of the possession throughout the match at 60 percent.
The lone goal of the match for the Dynamo came in the 65th minute after rookie forward Thor Úlfarsson switched play to find forward Darwin Quintero just outside the box. The Colombian playmaker brought the ball down and caught the ball on the first bounce to beat the Timbers goalkeeper with a shot that dipped under the crossbar for his seventh goal of the season.
The Dynamo backline will look to contain forwards Andre Shinyashiki and Karol Swiderski, who combine for eight goals and three assists for Charlotte this season. The Charlotte backline has faced challenges on the road and the team has conceded 16 goals away from home this season. That is tied for the fourth highest mark in the Eastern Conference this season and to date, the team has conceded 22 goals in their inaugural season.
A familiar face returns to PNC Stadium on Sunday as Derrick Jones visits Houston for the first time since he joined Charlotte FC in a trade on March 9. The midfielder has made five appearances for Charlotte this season. The former Dynamo midfielder scored the second goal in Charlotte’s 2-0 victory over the NY Red Bulls on June 11.
The Dynamo will close the two-game homestand next Saturday against FC Dallas for the second meeting of the regular season. Tickets and additional information is available at HoustonDynamoFC.com.
- QUINTERO KEY IN FINAL THIRD:Dynamo forward Darwin Quintero scored his 38th career goal on Wednesday against Portland. The Colombian playmaker has now contributed to 71 goals in league play and averages a goal or assist every 116 minutes. Wednesday’s goal was also Quintero’s seventh of the season and he matched his single-season high as a Dynamo player, which was set in his first season with the team in 2020 after he finished with seven goals and 10 assists. The 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Quintero has been a key part of the Dynamo offense since joining the team. Quintero has led the team in a variety of offensive categories since joining the club and currently leads the Dynamo in chances created with 28 and passes ending in the final third with 254. The MLS veteran will play a key role in Houston’s success on Sunday as he looks to earn his 116th league appearance.
- HOUSTON MEETS HH: Hector Herrera was formally introduced to fans and media on Friday and the Mexican National Team captain returns to PNC Stadium on Sunday to watch his teammates face Charlotte. Herrera arrived in Houston on Wednesday and joined the team on July 1 for his first training session with the Dynamo. More than 2,000 fans registered to attend the welcome event hosted at Post HTX on Friday evening and fans that missed the event can see Herrera take the field at halftime on Sunday for an on-field presentation. The 32-year-old is eligible to make his debut next Saturday as the Dynamo host FC Dallas for the second and final Texas Derby of the regular season.
- CHARLOTTE UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP: Charlotte travels to Houston after a midweek match with Austin FC in Bank of America Stadium. The MLS newcomers travel to Texas in search of their first victory away from Charlotte and enter with a 0-7-2 record away from home. The team is led by interim head coach Christian Lattanzio who had a 1-1-1 record going into Thursday’s match against Austin. Lattanzio was named the interim on May 31 following the departure of Miguel Ángel Ramírez.
