HOUSTON (July 16, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC kick off a two-match West Coast road trip at the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday, July 17, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT at PayPal Park. The match will stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Houston enters Wednesday’s match eighth in the Western Conference with an 8-7-7 (WLD) record and 31 points. The Dynamo have only lost once in its last eight matches, while finding the back of the net 17 times over that stretch.
Houston is coming off a 1-1 home draw versus Minnesota United FC at Shell Energy Stadium behind forward Sebas Ferreira’s fifth goal of the season. The Dynamo tied the match at one goal apiece when Ferreira smashed the ball home in the 82nd minute from a looping corner delivery from captain Héctor Herrera that was redirected by defender Erik Sviatchenko. The play marked Sviatchenko’s first assist of the campaign.
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 27 goals this season, which is tied for the second fewest in the Western Conference and third fewest across MLS. Houston also leads the Western Conference with 58.3 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
San Jose are in the midst of a tough season, sitting last in the Western Conference with a 4-17-2 (WLD) record and 14 points. The Earthquakes are coming off a 2-1 home loss to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, after Jack Skahan’s goal in the 82nd minute was not enough to overcome Sporting’s goals in the 48th and 57th minutes. San Jose is currently under the leadership of interim head coach Ian Russell.
Over the course of Houston and San Jose’s storied history, the Dynamo hold a 18-10-4 (WLD) regular season record over the Earthquakes. In the most recent matchup earlier this season, Houston earned a 2-1 victory at Shell Energy Stadium behind goals from Ferreira and defender Franco Escboar. The victory also marked the 100th triumph in league play for the Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium.
Notably, Herrera was recently named to the roster for the 2024 Major League Soccer All-Star Game. The midfielder is one of two players selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, alongside Columbus Crew’s Darlington Nagbe. This will be Herrera’s second consecutive All-Star Game appearance after representing Houston in last year’s match versus Premier League side Arsenal FC. The MLS All-Stars will face a team of All-Stars from LIGA MX on July 24 in Columbus, Ohio. Dynamo fans can watch the game on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Additionally, the Dynamo recently hosted forward Ezequiel Ponce’s introductory press conference. Houston signed the 27-year-old Argentinian from AEK Athen in Greece on a club-record transfer fee last month. Ponce will occupy a Designated Player spot and joins the Dynamo on a full transfer through June 2027 with club options through December 2027 and 2028. Ponce will first be eligible to play in Houston’s July 20 match at Vancouver Whitecaps FC once the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens.
Houston then faces Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Saturday, July 20, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT before beginning Leagues Cup play next week. The Dynamo host LIGA MX side Atlas FC on July 27 and MLS side Real Salt Lake on August 5 in Leagues Cup Group Stage play. Tickets for those matches are available HERE.
