HOUSTON (March 14, 2025) – Houston Dynamo FC return to Shell Energy Stadium to host Real Salt Lake this Saturday, March 15, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for all Dynamo matches are available HERE.
The fixture marks the 10th matchup between the two sides in all competitions since the start of 2023 and the 40th all-time MLS regular season meeting. Houston has a 6-2-1 (WLD) record in all competitions versus Salt Lake under head coach Ben Olsen, while going undefeated versus the Western Conference opponent last year.
Additionally, this weekend’s match will feature a St. Patrick’s Day theme and Shamrock Special with $17 tickets and pre-match happy hour Jameson drink specials.
Houston is coming off a scoreless road draw at Columbus Crew SC last weekend, where the Dynamo earned their first point and posted their first clean sheet of the season. Goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell stepped up with five saves in the match to help lead the team to a shutout. Notably, midfielder Nico Lodeiro made his first start for the Dynamo after scoring a goal versus Inter Miami CF on March 2.
Just this week, the Dynamo signed midfielder Duane Holmes, who brings extensive experience in the English Football Leagues, predominantly in the EFL Championship, the country’s second division behind the English Premier League. The midfielder totaled 246 appearances in the Championship, including 20 goals and 15 assists across stints with Huddersfield Town (2013-16 and 2020-23), Derby County (2018-21) and Preston North End (2023-25). Additionally, the Columbus, Georgia native earned two caps for the United States Men’s National Team, making his national team debut in June 2019 versus Jamaica.
Real Salt Lake will enter Saturday’s fixture after falling 3-1 to MLS newcomers San Diego FC in regular season action last weekend. Dominik Marczuk netted RSL’s lone goal in the 17th minute before San Diego responded with an equalizer from Franco Negri in the 43rd minute. San Diego then scored the game-winner in the first minute of second-half stoppage time and extend their lead to three in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. RSL currently sits 11th in the Western Conference standings with three points and a record of 1-2-0 (WLD).
Each roster boasts a current U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder. Houston acquired Jack McGlynn in a historic cash trade with the Philadelphia Union, sending $2.1 million in exchange for the 21-year-old and marking the first cash-for-player trade for a Homegrown player in MLS history and one of the largest trades in league history. McGlynn made his first start for the senior USMNT in January, recording his debut goal and assist in a 3-1 victory over Venezuela on Jan. 18. Salt Lake’s Diego Luna was recently named to the USMNT roster for the 2025 Concacaf Nations League Finals. The 21-year-old is coming off a strong 2024 campaign that saw him record eight goals and 12 assists and earn MLS Young Player of the Year.
Both teams will look to take the lead in the all-time regular season series on Saturday, as Houston and Salt Lake each have 14 wins and 14 losses, while playing to 11 draws in the matchup. Houston and Salt Lake have faced off nine times across all competitions since the start of 2023, with the Dynamo holding a 6-2-1 (WLD) record and going undefeated versus the Western Conference opponent last year with a 3-0-3 (WLD) record. Additionally, the Dynamo are undefeated in nine straight home matches versus RSL (four wins and five draws) in all competitions since 2019.
In the most recent matchup in September 2024, the Dynamo earned a 4-1 victory at Shell Energy Stadium behind goals from midfielder Amine Bassi, defender Griffin Dorsey, midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk and forward Ezequiel Ponce. The result marked the third time that season Houston scored four goals, while Bassi and Dorsey received MLSSoccer.com Team of the Matchday honors for their efforts. Notably, the match marked midfielder Artur’s 200th MLS appearance.
The Dynamo next host El Salvador in a friendly on Wednesday, March 19 at Shell Energy Stadium, marking Houston’s first official match versus a national team. Fans can purchase tickets HERE. The Dynamo return to MLS play on Saturday, March 22, traveling to face Seattle Sounders FC.
