HOUSTON (May 17, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC host in-state rivals FC Dallas in the second leg of the Texas Derby on Saturday, March 18, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium. Tickets for that match are available HERE.
Houston enters Saturday’s match sitting eighth in the Western Conference with a 5-5-2 (WLD) record and 17 points. The Dynamo will look to bounce back from a 1-0 road defeat at in-state rivals Austin FC on Wednesday. Despite the Dynamo dominating possession and dictating the pace of play throughout the match, an 87th minute goal from Sebastian Driussi, who poked a loose ball into the back of the net off a corner kick, sent Houston home with no points.
However, a positive result at Sporting Kansas City last Saturday still gives Houston plenty to hang their hats on. The Dynamo earned three key road points in the 2-1 victory versus their historic rivals, scoring the winning goal in the 78thminute when defender Griffin Dorsey slipped a pass through to forward Aliyu Ibrahim, who slotted the ball home in the far corner for his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Captain Héctor Herrera opened the scoring for Houston in the 31st minute, whipping a shot from the edge of the box inside the far post.
Notably, Herrera made his fifth appearance of the season, entering the match with half an hour to play to help the Dynamo connect play and move the ball more freely through midfield, while helping create a team-leading three chances. The Mexican international is on the cusp of 200 minutes this season as he continues to build up to 90-minute fitness while returning from a knee injury that had sidelined him for the start of the season.
Houston continues to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season, despite a shuffling back line that has seen seven players start due to injuries. The team has allowed just 12 goals across as many matches this season, which is tied for the third fewest across MLS. Additionally, Houston leads the Western Conference with 58.4 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Dallas enters Saturday’s match sitting 11th in the Western Conference with a 3-6-2 (WLD) record and 11 points. They did not have a midweek match, but their most result saw them take down in-state rivals Austin FC 2-1 at home on Saturday. Dallas opened the scoring early with a left-footed goal from Petar Musa in the fourth minute, followed by a second counterattack goal from Jesús Ferreira in the 56th minute, which was enough to secure three points.
Dallas currently holds a slight 15-13-19 (WLD) record advantage over Houston in the heated all-time series between the in-state rivals. However, Houston will look to continue their success at Shell Energy Stadium, where the Dynamo hold a 10-4-10 (WLD) record over Dallas.
In the two clubs’ most recent matchup in late April, Dallas defeated Houston 2-0 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco. However, an early red card for Dorsey in the fifth minute forced the Dynamo to play with 10 men for the rest of the match.
The Dynamo wrap up May’s slate of matches with a road trip to face LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 25, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.
