HOUSTON (Sept. 6, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC return to Shell Energy Stadium to host LAFC on Saturday, Sept. 7, with kickoff time scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT, in the second of back-to-back matches versus Los Angeles.
The Dynamo earned a 2-0 victory in Los Angeles last weekend behind debut MLS goals from forwards Ezequiel Ponce and Lawrence Ennali. The Dynamo also played LAFC in consecutive matches last season, earning two victories in June.
Houston’s push for the playoffs continues as they remain in the heart of playoff contention with eight matches remaining, including five at home and five versus opponents currently inside the playoff line. Houston has only lost twice in their last 12 MLS matches, while finding the back of the net 24 times during that stretch
Additionally, the Club will host Military Appreciation Night on Saturday to honor all past and present service members. Fans can find more information and purchase tickets for the match HERE.
Houston enters Saturday’s match seventh in the Western Conference with a 11-8-7 (WLD) record and 40 points. The Dynamo have only lost twice in their last 12 MLS matches, while finding the back of the net 24 times during that stretch.
The Dynamo will look for the regular season sweep of LAFC after defeating the Western Conference rivals 2-0 on the road last weekend. The debut MLS goals from Ponce and Ennali marked the fifth time this season that two players scored their first MLS goal in the same match for the same team. It also marked the fifth time in Dynamo history, with the last coming in March of last season when captain Héctor Herrera and forward Amine Bassi scored versus Austin FC.
Notably, goalkeeper Steve Clark finished the night with six saves, helping Houston’s defense secure their sixth clean sheet of the season.
Argentinian’s Ponce and defender Franco Escobar both earned MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday honors for their performances in Los Angeles on Saturday. In addition to his goal, Ponce featured as an attacking threat all night, totaling five shots with three on target. Escobar contributed to Houston’s clean sheet performance, leading the backline in clearances (4), tackles (3), tackles won (2) and duels won (5). Escobar also recorded his second assist of the season after finding Ennali breaking down the pitch, who scored his first MLS goal in fashion by beating goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to his right and guiding the ball into the back of the net.
Unfortunately, Ennali picked up an injury late in Saturday’s match, and it was confirmed this week that the German winger will miss the remainder of the season with an ACL tear.
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 the fewest in the Western Conference and third fewest in MLS. Houston also leads the Western Conference with 59.3 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 remains second in the Western Conference standings with 47 points and a 14-6-5 (WLD) record. Saturday’s loss against the Dynamo marked just their second home loss of the season and their first match where they were held scoreless since March. Currently, Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz lead the team’s offense this season with a combined 29 goals and 15 assists.
Additionally, 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 Bouanga. The result earned their second trip to a final this season after making a run to the 2024 Leagues Cup final where Los Angeles 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.
Goalkeeper Lloris and recently signed Giroud will visit Shell Energy Stadium for the first time in their career. The French World Cup winners signed with the LAFC this year, with Lloris joining ahead of the 2024 MLS regular season and Giroud joining mid-season. Giroud made his MLS debut last week against the Dynamo when he came on to the pitch in the 67th minute.
The Dynamo have two former LAFC players on their roster in Escobar and midfielder Latif Blessing (2018-22), who both won the 2022 MLS Cup with Los Angeles.
Houston will continue league play at home versus Real Salt Lake on Saturday, Sept. 14, before hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Tickets for those matches are available HERE.
