HOUSTON (June 18, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC return to Shell Energy Stadium to host Seattle Sounders FC on June 19, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. The club will recognize Juneteenth throughout matchday, including a $19 ticket offer. Tickets for the match are available HERE.
Houston enters Wednesday’s match seventh in the Western Conference with a 6-6-5 (WLD) record and 23 points.
Earlier this week, the Dynamo announced the signing of forward Ezequiel Ponce from AEK Athens on a club-record transfer fee. The forward has scored 65 goals across six different top-flight leagues in South America and Europe, including stints in Argentina, Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Russia. The 27-year-old forward will occupy a Designated Player spot and joins the Dynamo on a full transfer through June 2027 with club options through December 2027 and 2028
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 20 goals this season, which is the second fewest in the Western Conference. Additionally, Houston leads the Western Conference with 57.6 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Houston is coming off a 2-2 road draw at Atlanta United FC that saw midfielder Latif Blessing net at 89th minute equalizer after controlling a ball off his chest in the box from midfielder Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla. Defender Franco Escobar gave Houston the early lead in the fifth minute when he capitalized on a rebound inside the box on captain Héctor Herrera’s corner delivery.
Escobar, who played his first match back in Atlanta where he started his MLS career in 2018 and spent four seasons, earned MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday honors for his performance in Atlanta. The Argentinian led the team in possession won (7), aerial duels (3), tackles (3), tackles won (3) and interceptions (2), while leading defenders in several key areas, including touches (61), total duels (10), duels won (5) and passing accuracy (95.2%).
Carrasquilla’s assist was his last main contribution with the Dynamo before he departs to join Panama on the international stage for Copa America. The midfielder helped his country to the 2023 Gold Cup final and earned the Best Player Award for his performance in the competition. Carrasquilla recently joined Panama during the June FIFA window, helping his country find victory in two World Cup Qualifiers versus Guyana (2-0) and Montserrat (3-1).
Houston defender Brad Smith will go up against his former club on Wednesday night. The Australian spent four seasons with the Sounders from 2018-21 and helped Seattle win the 2019 MLS Cup. Smith appeared in 63 matches (49 starts), while scoring three goals and recording 11 assists over his four seasons with the Sounders.
Seattle enters Wednesday’s match ninth in the Western Conference with a 5-7-6 (WLD) record and 21 points. The Sounders are coming off a 2-0 home victory over Minnesota United FC on Saturday. Jordan Morris and Paul Rothrock scored for the hosts, while Stefan Frei recorded his 109th career shutout – three shy of second all-time in MLS history – as Seattle remained undefeated all-time at home against Minnesota.
The Dynamo will look to continue turning around a tough record versus the Sounders, as Seattle holds a 15-5-6 (WLD) record over Houston since the first matchup in 2009. However, all of Houston’s victories versus Seattle have come at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dynamo last defeated Seattle 2-1 in October 2021 behind goals from Maximiliano Urruti and Darwin Quintero.
Houston wraps the week with a road trip to D.C. United on Saturday, June 22 in what will be head coach Ben Olsen’s first match in the nation’s capital since departing in 2020.
