HOUSTON (Sept. 17, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 18, hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium, and tickets are available HERE. The Whitecaps currently sit one place and one point above the Dynamo in the Western Conference Standings.
The Dynamo will also host Kick Childhood Cancer Night on Wednesday, highlighted by a matchday experience for Kid Captain Lenin, who also spent a training day with the team at Houston Sports Park earlier this month.
Houston currently sits seventh in the Western Conference with 44 points and a 12-8-8 (WLD) record. The Dynamo are undefeated in 12 of their last 14 MLS matches, while finding the back of the net 28 times over that stretch.
The Dynamo remain in the heart of playoff contention with six league games remaining in their push for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, including three at home and three versus Western Conference opponents above the playoff line. Houston is looking to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2013.
Houston will look to build on their 4-1 home victory over Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, splitting three points each in their two-game regular season series. First half goals from forward Amine Bassi and defender Griffin Dorsey, followed by second half goals from midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk and forward Ezequiel Ponce confirmed the result. Notably, the Dynamo have now netted four goals in a single match three times this season.
Bassi and Dorsey’s performances earned them MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday honors for Matchday 32. Bassi led the team with four chances created and 16 accurate passes in the final third, while Dorsey scored his third goal of the season. Additionally, Brazilian midfielder Artur made his 200th MLS appearance during Saturday’s match versus Real Salt Lake.
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 32 goals this season, which is tied for the fewest in the Western Conference and third fewest in MLS. Houston also leads MLS with 59.4 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Earlier today, Houston announced the signing of MLS veteran midfielder Júnior Moreno, who returns to the league after a short stint this year with Al-Hazem SC of the Saudi First Division League. Moreno spent six seasons in MLS between D.C. United (2018-21) and FC Cincinnati (2022-23), totaling seven goals and 12 assists over 153 regular season appearances (142 starts). Moreno also has extensive playoff experience, starting all eight matches (754 minutes) across four postseason runs. The Venezuelan international spent three seasons under current Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen while playing in the nation’s capital, helping D.C. make the playoffs twice. The midfielder has earned 40 caps at the international level with Venezuela, including appearing 17 times in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and eight times in the CONMEBOL Copa America (2019 and 2021). Moreno has tallied one goal and two assists for La Vinotinto so far.
The Whitecaps enter Wednesday’s match sitting one place and one point above Houston in sixth in the Western Conference with a 13-8-6 (WLD) record and 45 points. Like Houston, Vancouver is in the middle of a playoff push and is undefeated in eight of their last 10 league matches. Most recently, the Whitecaps defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at home behind goals Fafa Picault (35’) and Stuart Armstrong (86’). Forward Brian White and midfielder Ryan Gauld lead Vancouver’s offense with a combined 21 goals and 14 assists.
Houston will look to tie the all-time regular season series with Vancouver, who hold a 10-9-5 (WLD) record over the Dynamo. In the most recent match up, Houston and Vancouver met in Canada for a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair in July, sending Houston home with a 4-3 victory and three points. A second-career brace from Dorsey and goals from midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla and defender Brad Smith gave the Dynamo the edge.
The Dynamo will wrap the week with a trip to the state capital to face in-state rivals Austin FC on Saturday, Sept. 21.
