HOUSTON (June 14, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC return from the international break to face Atlanta United FC on the road on Saturday, June 15, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Saturday’s match marks only the fourth meeting between the two clubs and first since 2019.
Houston enters Saturday’s match seventh in the Western Conference with a 6-6-4 (WLD) record and 22 points.
The Dynamo continue 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 18 goals across 16 matches this season, which is the fewest in the Western Conference and tied for the third fewest across MLS. Additionally, Houston leads the Western Conference with 57.8 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Before the international break, Houston earned a 2-2 road draw at the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Houston’s goals came from forward Sebastian Kowalczyk and midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla. Kowalczyk found the back of the net in the ninth minute for a goal in back-to-back matches, while Carrasquilla found the scoresheet for the first time this season with a goal in the 50th minute.
Captain Héctor Herrera earned MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday honors for his performance in Portland, his second selection this season. The Mexican international’s main contribution came when he turned his body to thread a ball to Carrasquilla and assist on the Panamanian international’s goal. Along with his second assist of the season, Herrera led the team in several key statistical categories, including touches (106), total passes (74), passing accuracy (93.2 percent), passes in the final third (17), final third entries (13), total crosses (11), possession won (9), duels (4), chances created (2) and interceptions (2).
Three players from the first team roster returned from international duty this week. Carrasquilla took part in two victorious World Cup Qualifiers for Panama versus Guyana (2-0) and Montserrat (3-1). Midfielder Brooklyn Raines joined the U-19 U.S. Men’s National Team for two 1-0 victories over Argentina and Uruguay. Goalkeeper Xavier Valdez also joined the Dominican Republic for World Cup Qualifiers versus Jamaica (L, 1-0) and the British Virgin Islands (W, 4-0).
Saturday will mark interim head coach Rob Valentino’s first match in charge of Atlanta United after former head coach Gonzalo Pineda was dismissed on June 3. Atlanta has struggled to secure results so far this season, currently sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 4-8-4 (WLD) record and 16 points.
Atlanta did defeat current Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami FC 3-1 on the road on May 29, however, a 3-2 home defeat to rivals Charlotte FC on June 2 sealed Valentino’s fate.
Saturday’s cross-conference matchup will mark just the fourth meeting between Houston and Atlanta and the first since 2019. The Dynamo will look to even the series at two wins apiece, earning their previous victory 4-0 in Houston during Atlanta’s inaugural 2017 MLS season.
The Dynamo return to Shell Energy Stadium to host Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, June 19, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. The club will celebrate Juneteenth throughout matchday, including a $19 ticket offer. Tickets for the match are available HERE.
