MATCH PREVIEW: Houston Dynamo FC kickoff Texas Derby at FC Dallas

HOUSTON (April 26, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC kickoff this season’s Texas Derby at FC Dallas on Saturday, April 27, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT.

Houston enters Saturday’s match looking to bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat to in-state rivals Austin FC. The Dynamo dictated the match and dominated the stat sheet in front of a near-capacity crowd at Shell Energy Stadium, but an 86^th minute goal from Emiliano Rigoni sent the visitors home with three points. Goalkeeper Steve Clark contributed three saves on the defensive end to keep Austin at bay for most of the match.

Notably, captain and Mexican international Héctor Herrera made his season debut in the 62^nd minute, returning from a knee injury that had sidelined him for the start of the season. During his half hour on the pitch, the 34-year-old impacted the match by connecting passes through midfield and managed a shot on target.

Additional reinforcements arrived in Houston this week, as the Dynamo acquired attacker McKinze Gaines in a trade with Nashville SC in exchange for $75,000 in 2025 General Allocation Money (GAM). The 26-year-old speedy winger joins a Houston team that has seen six different goal scorers this season, including Aliyu Ibrahim, who leads the team with three goals in MLS play.

The Dynamo currently sit sixth in the Western Conference with 13 points and a 4-3-1 (WLD) record and have won four of their last six matches dating back to March 16.

Houston continues to boast one of the best defensive records so far this season, allowing only eight goals across eight matches and recording two clean sheets. Eight goals allowed is tied for the least in the Western Conference, despite a shuffling back line that has seen seven players start due to injuries. Additionally, Houston leads the league with 59.5 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.

Dallas currently sits 13^th in the Western Conference with five points and a 1-5-2 (WLD) record. They enter Saturday’s match after falling 2-1 on the road to the Colorado Rapids, where Dallas’ late goal from Petar Musa (87’) was not enough to match Colorado’s goals from Sebastien Ibeagha (45+1’) and Calvin Harris (51’).

The Dynamo will look to even the all-time series at 14 wins apiece on Saturday, as Dallas holds a 14-13-19 (WLD) over Houston. Last season, the two clubs played to a scoreless draw in Houston in September after playing to a 1-1 draw in Dallas in May that was salvaged by Houston’s Thor Úlfarsson in the 85^th minute.

The Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, May 4 to host St. Louis CITY SC when the club will celebrate Star Wars night. Tickets for that match are available HERE.