The Dynamo travel to California for the first time this season to face the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Houston looks to build on back-to-back victories at home and claim their first road triumph of the season. The Dynamo claimed two consecutive shutouts at home with victories over Austin FC and New York City FC.
Forward Amine Bassi tallied his second goal of the year after he converted a penalty kick early in the second half. That was Bassi’s second goal from the penalty spot this year and his second game-winning tally after scoring the first goal of the game in Houston’s victory over Austin on March 18. Midfielder Artur finished with 11 interceptions and won all six of his duels. The 27-year-old earned Man of the Match honors after his performance and was also named to the bench of the MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday.
Houston was without midfielder Coco Carrasquilla, who joined Panama for their Nations League fixture against Costa Rica. Forward Nelson Quinones and midfielder Brooklyn Raines earned their first starts for the club on Saturday. Raines spent the bulk of last year with Houston Dynamo 2 and finished with one goal and three assists in 17 appearances for the team. He is also the first teenager to start a match for the club.
Defensively, Steve Clark earned his second clean sheet of the season and his 52nd shutout in league play. His lone save came in the final eight minutes of regulation, and he now has 10 saves on the season.
Houston claimed the season series in 2022 with victories at home and at PayPal Park. The Dynamo have won three out of the last four meetings and the last loss came in a 2-0 victory for the Quakes at Avaya Stadium in 2019. The Dynamo lead the all-time series with a 16-9-4 record and have won five matches away from home.
San Jose close a two-game homestand on Saturday and look to bounce back after being held scoreless at home for the first time this season in the 0-0 draw with Toronto FC on March 25. The Quakes enter with a 2-0-1 record at home this year and are led by MLS veteran Jeremy Ebobisse and Argentine playmaker Cristian Espinoza. The duo has scored three of the four team goals this season. Defensively, JT Marcinkowski has tallied two clean sheets this season.
The Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium on April 8 to host the LA Galaxy and travel to New Jersey the following weekend to face the New York Red Bulls.
