HOUSTON (May 24, 2024) – Houston Dynamo FC travel to face LA Galaxy on Saturday, May 25, for the team’s final road trip of the month, with kickoff scheduled for 9:30 p.m. CT.
Houston enters Saturday’s match eighth in the Western Conference with a 5-5-3 (WLD) record and 18 points. The Dynamo are coming off a three-match Rivalry Week during which they earned four points versus Sporting Kansas City, Austin FC and FC Dallas. Houston defeated Kansas City 2-1 on May 11, with goals from captain Héctor Herrera and forward Aliyu Ibrahim, before falling 1-0 on the road to Austin FC on Wednesday and earning a 1-1 home draw versus FC Dallas on Saturday.
In the most recent Texas Derby matchup, Houston opened scoring in first-half stoppage time when forward Amine Bassi found the back of the net after a passage of play that included captain Herrera and defender Daniel Steres. The play marked Bassi’s first goal of the season and Steres’ first assist of the campaign. Dallas equalized in the 69th minute to split the points when Petar Musa directed the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
In terms of club connections, Steres will be making a homecoming of sorts, as the Burbank, California native will be returning to face the club where he spent eight years. The defender was part of LA Galaxy II from 2015-15, making 25 appearances and scoring seven goals. Steres played for the first team from 2016-2021, making 140 appearances and scoring eight goals.
Notably, Herrera made his third start of the season versus Dallas on Saturday, remaining in the match for 83 minutes as he continues to build up to 90-minute fitness. The Mexican international is on the cusp of 300 minutes this season as returns from a knee injury that sidelined him for the start of the season.
Houston continues 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 13 goals across as many matches this season, which is tied for the second fewest across MLS and fewest in the Western Conference. Additionally, Houston leads the league with 58.7 percent possession across the season, allowing the Dynamo to control matches and dictate pace of play.
Los Angeles enters Saturday’s match fourth in the Western Conference with a with a 5-2-7 (WLD) record and 22 points. The Galaxy have earned draws in all four of their matches this month, most recently playing to a scoreless result at Charlotte FC.
The Dynamo wrap up May’s slate of matches on Wednesday, May 29, returning to Shell Energy Stadium to host the Colorado Rapids, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Houston defeated Colorado 1-0 with a stoppage time goal on the road earlier this season. Tickets for that match are available HERE.
