Houston Dynamo FChost the front-runners for the MLS Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday as they welcome Los Angeles Football Club. Fans can purchase tickets to that match here.
The Dynamo face a quick turnaround after returning from Minnesota on Sunday. Houston fell short against the Loons 2-1 with the home side striking late to secure three points. The Dynamo took the lead moments before the end of the first half after Fafa Picault switched the point of attack and found Griffin Dorsey outside the box. Dorsey whipped in a lofted a diagonal ball to Corey Baird behind the Minnesota back line just inside the box. Baird brought the ball down with his chest and beat the Minnesota goalkeeper with a perfectly-weighted slicing effort that floated into the back of the net at the far post.
That was Baird’s first goal of the regular season with the Dynamo and his second of the year. The forward scored in the Round of 16 meeting with Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on May 25. Dorsey tallied his second assist of the season on that play and finished with five clearances against Minnesota.
This is the first meeting between both teams this season and the return fixture is scheduled for Sept. 18 at Banc of California Stadium. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in both meetings last year and Houston has earned a point in three of the last four meetings against LAFC. Houston’s lone victory in the all-time series came in 2018 when both teams met in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Houston advanced to the final after winning the penalty kick shootout and would claim the trophy in September.
The Dynamo close the week at Lumen Field on Sunday when they face Seattle Sounders FC. Sunday’s match will kick off at 8 p.m. CT and fans can watch the game live on AT&T SportsNet Southwest or in Spanish on TeleXitos 47.2.
The Dynamo return to PNC Stadium on Sept. 10 for the start of Soccer Kicks Cancer Weekend. Festivities include players wearing jerseys or warm-up tops featuring the names of pediatric cancer patients, yellow goal nets and corner flags, and a variety of fundraising initiatives. For additional information visit, HoustonDynamoFC.com/Charities.
Here are three key points ahead of Wednesday’s game:
- CARRASQUILLA KEY IN POSSESSION: Dynamo midfielder Coco Carrasquilla has been a key player for the team in the middle of the park as they look to maintain more possession of the ball compared to previous seasons. The Panamanian international has won possession 143 times this season, the most on the team and the bulk of that has been near midfield with 78 recoveries. Offensively, Carrasquilla kept the push forward alive by recovering the ball 18 times in the attacking third this season. Defensively, the 23-year-old has won possession in the defensive third 47 times, the most of any player on the team.
- QUIÑÓNES MAKES MLS DEBUT: Dynamo forward Nelson Quiñones made his MLS debut on Saturday as a second half substitute. The 20-year-old joined the Dynamo late last week after receiving his P-1 Visa. The Colombian forward finished with one cross and three successful dribbles in Minnesota. Quinones joins the Dynamo as they tackle one of the most congested stretches of the season with three games in nine days and two of those matches on the road.
- LAFC CLOSE ROADTRIP IN TEXAS: LAFC enter tomorrow’s match with the best record in MLS but look to bounce back after two consecutive losses, both on the road. LAFC opened this three-game road trip with a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Aug. 20 and they lost 4-1 last Friday to Austin FC. LAFC currently lead the race for the Supporters’ Shield with a three-point lead over the Philadelphia Union. Their roster includes the 2019 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player in Carlos Vela, Wales international Gareth Bale and three-time Serie A Defender of the Year Giorgio Chiellini.
