HOUSTON (Aug. 30, 2024) – In a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Final, Houston Dynamo FC travel to face LAFC, on Saturday, Aug. 31, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT at BMO Stadium.
The Dynamo turn around to face LAFC again on Saturday, September 7, at Shell Energy Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for that match are available HERE. Houston also played LAFC in back-to-back matches last season, earning two victories in June.
Houston will enter Saturday’s match eighth in the Western Conference with a 10-8-7 (WLD) record and 37 points. The Dynamo have only lost twice in their last 10 MLS matches, while finding the back of the net 22 times during that stretch.
The Dynamo remain in the heart of playoff contention with nine matches remaining, including five at home and seven versus opponents currently inside the playoff line.
Houston will look to bounce back after a 1-0 home loss to Toronto FC on Saturday night. Despite the result, the Dynamo dominated possession and doubled the visitor’s shot total, finishing the night with 71.7 percent possession, 18 shots and 170 passes in the final third.
Notably, during the match, forward Lawrence Ennali made his MLS debut at Shell Energy Stadium after coming onto the pitch in the 60th minute. The German youngster was signed by the Club last month from Górnik Zabrze in Poland, marking the largest U22 Initiative signing in Club history.
Additionally, Héctor Herrera and Daniel Steres reached career milestones of their own during the Toronto match, with the Mexican midfielder earning his 50th-career MLS start and Steres marking his 200th MLS appearance.
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 just 31 goals this season, which is tied for the second fewest in the Western Conference. Houston leads the Western Conference with 59.2 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Last season, the Dynamo played LAFC to a 2-1-0 (WLD) record between the regular season and MLS Cup Playoffs. In mid-June last season, Houston defeated Los Angeles in back-to-back matches, winning 4-0 at home on June 10 before winning 1-0 on the road four days later. Ultimately, LAFC defeated the Dynamo 2-0 in the Western Conference Final in early December.
LAFC recently clinched a spot in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final after defeating Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 on the road with a goal from Denis Bouanga. The result earned their second trip to a final this season after making a run to the 2024 Leagues Cup final where LAFC lost 3-1 versus current MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew earlier this month. Forward Olivier Giroud was the lone scorer that evening, scoring his first goal with the club.
Saturday will mark LAFC’s first MLS match since July 20 before the Leagues Cup break. They currently sit second in the Western Conference with a 14-5-5 (WLD) record and 47 points. Before the break, LAFC won five of its last eight regular season matches, defeating the likes of Seattle, LA Galaxy, Colorado, Orlando and San Jose. The offense is led by Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz, who have a combined for 29 goals and 15 assists this season.
LAFC’s roster features two superstar additions this season in goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and recently signed Giroud. The French World Cup winners signed with Los Angeles team this year, with Lloris joining ahead of the 2024 MLS regular season and Giroud joining mid-season. Giroud currently has five games under his belt with LAFC and could make his MLS debut this Saturday versus the Dynamo.
The Dynamo have two former LAFC players on their roster in defender Franco Escobar and midfielder Latif Blessing (2018-22), who both won the 2022 MLS Cup with Los Angeles.
The Dynamo turn around to face LAFC again on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Shell Energy Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.
